title: Neurotransmitters and synaptic components in the Merkel cell-neurite complex, a gentle-touch receptor.
abstract: Merkel cells are an enigmatic group of rare cells found in the skin of vertebrates. Most make contacts with somatosensory afferents to form Merkel cell-neurite complexes, which are gentle-touch receptors that initiate slowly adapting type I responses. The function of Merkel cells within the complex remains debated despite decades of research. Numerous anatomical studies demonstrate that Merkel cells form synaptic-like contacts with sensory afferent terminals. Moreover, recent molecular analysis reveals that Merkel cells express dozens of presynaptic molecules that are essential for synaptic vesicle release in neurons. Merkel cells also produce a host of neuroactive substances that can act as fast excitatory neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. Here, we review the major neurotransmitters found in Merkel cells and discuss these findings in relation to the potential function of Merkel cells in touch reception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Srdjan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maksimovic
authors.forename: Yoshichika
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.forename: Ellen A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Lumpkin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018862:Merkel Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents