A diverse family of GPCRs expressed in specific subsets of nociceptive sensory neurons.
In vertebrates, peripheral chemosensory neurons express large families of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), reflecting the diversity and specificity of stimuli they detect. However, somatosensory neurons, which respond to chemical, thermal, or mechanical stimuli, are more broadly tuned. Here we describe a family of approximately 50 GPCRs related to Mas1, called mrgs, a subset of which is expressed in specific subpopulations of sensory neurons that detect painful stimuli. The expression patterns of mrgs thus reveal an unexpected degree of molecular diversity among nociceptive neurons. Some of these receptors can be specifically activated in heterologous cells by RFamide neuropeptides such as NPFF and NPAF, which are analgesic in vivo. Thus, mrgs may regulate nociceptor function and/or development, including the sensation or modulation of pain.
Dong
X
X
Division of Biology 216-76, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Han
S
S
Zylka
M J
MJ
Simon
M I
MI
Anderson
D J
DJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008024:Ligands; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; C000715471:Mas1 protein, mouse; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C524074:MrgprB4 protein, mouse; D009479:Neuropeptides; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; C416987:RFamide peptide; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D020917:Receptor, trkA