This grant will support work on role of RNF139, an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, in acute pain and inflammation due to its interaction with X-inactivating specific transcript, a long non-coding RNA only expressed in female cells. Previous work has shown that RNF139 and Xist expression is correlated under inflammatory conditions and may be able to mediate downstream signaling pathways related to pain and inflammation. This project will utilize mice that do not express RNF139 (RNF139 KO mice) of both sexes. In vivo studies will determine the effect of RNF139 KO on acute pain in the formalin model in male and female mice. In vitro studies will confirm RNF139 KO and quantify amounts of RNF139, Xist, and inflammatory cytokines through qPCR and Western blots. This work will document differences in inflammatory response between sexes and further elucidate the role of RNF139 and its interaction with Xist.
