A T-type calcium channel required for normal function of a mammalian mechanoreceptor.
The dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contain a variety of mechanoreceptors, but no molecular markers uniquely identify specific mechanoreceptor subtypes. We have used DNA microarrays and subtracted cDNA libraries to isolate genes that are specifically expressed by one type of mouse mechanoreceptor. The T-type calcium channel Ca(v)3.2 was exclusively expressed in the DRG by D-hair receptors, a very sensitive mechanoreceptor. Pharmacological blockade of T-type calcium channels indicated that this channel may be essential for normal D-hair receptor excitability including mechanosensitivity. This is the first evidence that a calcium channel is required for normal function of a vertebrate mechanoreceptor.
Shin
Jung-Bum
JB
Growth Factors and Regeneration Group, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, Berlin-Buch D-13092 Germany.
Martinez-Salgado
Carlos
C
Heppenstall
Paul A
PA
Lewin
Gary R
GR
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D020748:Mibefradil / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011930:Reaction Time; D020813:Receptor, trkB / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D021122:Protein Subunits; D014157:Transcription Factors; D020748:Mibefradil; D012313:RNA; D020813:Receptor, trkB; C073922:neurotrophin 4