Molecular mechanisms of pleasant tactile sensation.

Research Project

Project/Area Number	26850204
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	Integrative animal science
Research Institution	Hokkaido University
Principal Investigator	YAMAGUCHI Soichiro 北海道大学, (連合)獣医学研究科, 助教 (50596864)
Project Period (FY)	2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2015)
Budget Amount *help	¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000) Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000) Fiscal Year 2014: ¥2,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥600,000)
Keywords	生理学 / 機械受容チャネル / 触覚受容器
Outline of Final Research Achievements	The aim of this research is to reveal how MrgprB4 positive DRG neurons detect a massage-like pleasant tactile sensation in mice. The neurons were mechanically stimulated by application of hypotonic solutions during intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) measurement. [Ca2+]i was increased by the application of hypotonic solutions. The increase of [Ca2+]i was inhibited by Piezo channel inhibitors. Immunocytochemistry showed that MrgprB4 positive neurons express Piezo2 channel. In conclusion, it was suggested that Piezo2 may be functionally expressed in the isolated MrgprB4 positive neurons.