Identification of different tactile mechanoreceptor ion channels for overcoming sensory abnormalities

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16691
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Sonekatsu Mayumi 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 博士研究員 (40725579)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 触覚 / 電気生理学 / single fiber recording / 電位依存性カリウムチャネル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Sensory nerves projecting to the whisker hair follicles of mice, which possess mechanoreceptors homologous to those in human fingertips, contain three types of mechanoreceptors: rapidly adapting (RA), slowly adapting type 1 (SA1), and slowly adapting type 2 (SA2). It has been found that these receptors exhibit different sensitivities to various potassium channel blockers, indicating that distinct voltage-gated potassium channels are expressed in each receptor type. Furthermore, voltage-gated calcium channels has been also required for SA1 and SA2 mechanoreceptor responses.

Free Research Field

末梢神経　電気生理学　触覚　イオンチャネル

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

各種触覚機械受容器に発現する電位依存性カリウムチャネルの探索が進んだ。さらに進めていくことで、触覚伝達メカニズムの解明につながると考えられる。触覚伝達メカニズムが解明されれば、しびれや異常感覚の病態理解、ひいては治療法の新規開拓につながる。