Ion Channels and Receptors

Store-Operated Ca2+ Channels Mediate Microdomain Ca2+ Signals and Amplify Gq-Coupled Ca2+ Elevations in Capillary Pericytes

This study investigates Ca2+ signaling in capillary pericytes, finding that Orai-mediated store-operated Ca2+ entry mediates microdomain signals and amplifies Gq-coupled Ca2+ elevations.

Multiple antagonist calcium-dependent mechanisms control CaM Kinase-1 subcellular localization in a C. elegans thermal nociceptor

The paper identifies multiple calcium-dependent mechanisms regulating CMK-1 subcellular localization in C. elegans thermal nociceptors, showing how phosphorylation and CaM binding interact to control nuclear entry and export.

A DRG genetic toolkit reveals molecular, morphological, and functional diversity of somatosensory neuron subtypes

The paper develops a genetic toolkit to study DRG neuron subtypes, revealing their molecular, morphological, and functional diversity in response to mechanical and thermal stimuli.

Thermogenetic control of Ca2+ levels in cells and tissues

This paper introduces GECCO, a thermogenetic system for manipulating calcium levels in cells and tissues, enabling studies of calcium signaling in plants and animals.

MrgprA3-expressing pruriceptors drive pruritogen-induced alloknesis through mechanosensitive Piezo2 channel

The paper identifies TRPV1+/MrgprA3+ prurioceptors and Piezo2 channel signaling as drivers of pruritogen-induced alloknesis.

Endogenous inflammatory mediators produced by injury activate TRPV1 and TRPA1 nociceptors to induce sexually dimorphic cold pain that is dependent on TRPM8 and GFRalpha3

The paper shows that inflammatory mediators activate TRPV1 and TRPA1 nociceptors, leading to cold pain in mice that depends on TRPM8 and GFRalpha3, with sex-specific effects.

Drosophila SPG12 ortholog, reticulon-like 1, governs presynapticER organization and Ca2+ dynamics

This study shows that loss of Rtnl1 in Drosophila disrupts presynaptic ER organization and causes defects in Ca2+ dynamics and neurotransmission.

Time course of lipopolysaccharide- and capsaicin-induced cytokine release in an ex vivo mouse model of vaginal inflammation

This study examines cytokine release in a mouse vaginal ex vivo model after LPS and capsaicin stimulation, finding increased IL-1β levels at 20 hours compared to 4 hours.

The cellular coding of temperature in the mammalian cortex

This study identifies cortical neurons in mice that respond to cooling and warming, showing cool representation in primary somatosensory cortex and both cool and warm in posterior insular cortex.

In vivo calcium imaging identifies functionally and molecularly distinct subsets of tongue-innervating mechanosensory neurons

The paper identifies five functionally distinct mechanosensory neuron subsets in the mouse tongue using in vivo calcium imaging and clustering analysis of their response profiles to mechanical stimuli.

Mechanoregulatory role of TRPV4 in prenatal skeletal development

This study investigates the role of TRPV4 in mechanically regulated prenatal skeletal development, showing its importance in joint cartilage growth and shape through mechanotransduction.

Mechanotransduction events at the physiological site of touch detection

The paper uses patch-clamp recordings to study mechanotransduction in duck Meissner corpuscle afferents, showing fast kinetics of mechanically activated current and rapidly adapting firing.

A basic model of calcium homeostasis in non-excitable cells

The paper develops a computational model of calcium homeostasis in non-excitable cells, showing sustained oscillations in calcium levels due to hysteretic properties and cooperativity in calcium transport mechanisms.

Validation of six commercial antibodies for detection of heterologous and endogenous TRPM8 ion channel expression

The paper evaluates six commercial antibodies for detecting TRPM8 using western blot, immunocytochemistry, and immunohistochemistry, finding two broadly effective and four with limited utility.

A novel method to selectively elicit cold sensations without touch

The paper introduces a non-contact cooling stimulator to study cold sensation without mechanical contact, finding cold detection thresholds in humans.

Capsaicin-induced endocytosis of endogenous presynaptic CaV2.2 in DRG-spinal cord co-cultures inhibits presynaptic function

This study shows capsaicin reduces presynaptic CaV2.2 expression in DRG neurons via Rab11a-dependent endocytosis, impairing neurotransmission.

Deletion of TRPC6, an autism risk gene, induces hyperexcitability in cortical neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells

This study shows that deleting TRPC6 in human cortical neurons increases neuronal hyperexcitability by reducing SOCE signaling.

Localization of TRP channels in healthy oral mucosa from human donors

The paper investigates the distribution of TRP channels in human oral tissues to understand their role in environmental sensing.

Piezo2 voltage-block regulates mechanical pain sensitivity

The paper shows that mutations at R2756 in PIEZO2 channels reduce voltage-block, increasing mechanosensitivity in nociceptors and causing hypersensitivity to mechanical pain.

Phosphatidylserine controls synaptic targeting and membrane stability of ASIC1a

This study identifies phosphatidylserine (PS) as a critical lipid for ASIC1a synaptic targeting and function through electrostatic interactions.

Lack of evidence for participation of TMEM150c/TENTONIN3 in sensory mechanotransduction.

This study investigates whether TMEM150c forms a mechanosensitive ion channel or is required for mechanosensitivity in sensory neurons, finding no evidence to support these claims.

Piezo1-mediated spontaneous activity of satellite glia impacts DRG development

This study identifies Piezo1-mediated mechanosensitive Ca2+ transients in zebrafish DRG satellite glia, showing distinct mechanisms for different types of spontaneous activity.

PEZO-1 and TRP-4 mechanosensors are involved in mating behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans

The paper investigates the roles of PEZO-1 and TRP-4 mechanosensors in C. elegans mating behavior, showing their involvement in multiple mating steps and mechanosensory functions.

Modality specific roles for metabotropic GABAergic signaling and calcium induced calcium release mechanisms in regulating cold nociception

This study identifies modality-specific roles for metabotropic GABAergic signaling and calcium-induced calcium release in regulating cold nociception in Drosophila CIII neurons.

Piezo1 Mediates Keratinocyte Mechanotransduction

This study identifies Piezo1 as the major mechanotransducer in keratinocytes for detecting mechanical stimuli and transmitting tactile information to sensory neurons.

TRPA1 analgesia is mediated by kappa opioid receptors

This study shows TRPA1 inhibition enhances KOR activity in sensory neurons, leading to analgesia, and identifies TRP channel regulation of GPCR activity as a novel mechanism for peripherally mediated pain relief.

TMEM120A/TACAN inhibits mechanically activated Piezo2 channels

The paper shows TACAN inhibits Piezo2 channel activity in DRG neurons without affecting Piezo1 or TREK1 currents.

Lighting Up Mechanosensation: dyeing to see PIEZO2

The paper uses FM 1-43 dye to identify PIEZO2-expressing neurons involved in mechanosensation, revealing its role in urethral neurons during urination.

Peripheral kappa opioid receptor activation drives cold hypersensitivity in mice

This study identifies a role for peripheral kappa opioid receptors in driving cold hypersensitivity through modulation of TRPA1 channels in mice.

Oscillatory calcium release and sustained store-operated oscillatory calcium signaling prevents differentiation of human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells

This study shows that Gq-coupled receptor activation induces oscillatory calcium signaling in hOPCs, which blocks differentiation and promotes proliferation through SOCE, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for myelin repair.