Localization of beta and gamma subunits of ENaC in sensory nerve endings in the rat foot pad
- PMID: 11082481
- DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(00)02831-6
Localization of beta and gamma subunits of ENaC in sensory nerve endings in the rat foot pad
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying mechanoelectrical transduction and the receptors that detect light touch remain uncertain. Studies in Caenorhabditis elegans suggest that members of the DEG/ENaC cation channel family may be mechanoreceptors. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that subunits of the mammalian epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) family are expressed in touch receptors in rat hairless skin. We detected betaENaC and gammaENaC, but not alphaENaC transcripts in cervical and lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Using immunofluorescence, we found betaENaC and gammaENaC expressed in medium to large lumbar DRG neurons. Moreover, we detected these two subunits in Merkel cell-neurite complexes, Meissner-like corpuscles, and small lamellated corpuscles, specialized mechanosensory structures of the skin. Within these structures, betaENaC and gammaENaC were localized in the nerve fibers believed to contain the sensors responsive to mechanical stress. Thus beta and gammaENaC subunits are good candidates as components of the molecular sensor that detects touch.
Similar articles
-
Transport and localization of the DEG/ENaC ion channel BNaC1alpha to peripheral mechanosensory terminals of dorsal root ganglia neurons.J Neurosci. 2001 Apr 15;21(8):2678-86. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-08-02678.2001. J Neurosci. 2001. PMID: 11306621 Free PMC article.
-
Molecular identification of rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors and their developmental dependence on ret signaling.Neuron. 2009 Dec 24;64(6):841-56. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.11.003. Neuron. 2009. PMID: 20064391 Free PMC article.
-
Characterization of sensory deficits in TrkB knockout mice.Neurosci Lett. 2008 Mar 5;433(1):43-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.12.035. Epub 2008 Jan 14. Neurosci Lett. 2008. PMID: 18248898
-
ENaC subunits are molecular components of the arterial baroreceptor complex.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Jun;940:42-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03665.x. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001. PMID: 11458698 Review.
-
Immunohistochemistry of human cutaneous Meissner and pacinian corpuscles.Microsc Res Tech. 1996 Jul 1;34(4):351-61. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0029(19960701)34:43.0.CO;2-R. Microsc Res Tech. 1996. PMID: 8807618 Review.
Cited by
-
Blockade of ENaCs by amiloride induces c-Fos activation of the area postrema.Brain Res. 2015 Mar 19;1601:40-51. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.12.048. Epub 2014 Dec 31. Brain Res. 2015. PMID: 25557402 Free PMC article.
-
βENaC and ASIC2 associate in VSMCs to mediate pressure-induced constriction in the renal afferent arteriole.Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2022 May 1;322(5):F498-F511. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00003.2022. Epub 2022 Mar 14. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2022. PMID: 35285274 Free PMC article.
-
Inhibitory effect of amiloride and gadolinium on fine afferent nerves in the rat knee: evidence of mechanogated ion channels in joints.Exp Brain Res. 2005 Nov;167(1):114-8. doi: 10.1007/s00221-005-0040-z. Epub 2005 Oct 29. Exp Brain Res. 2005. PMID: 16025293
-
Mechano-sensitivity of ENaC: may the (shear) force be with you.Pflugers Arch. 2008 Feb;455(5):775-85. doi: 10.1007/s00424-007-0332-1. Epub 2007 Sep 15. Pflugers Arch. 2008. PMID: 17874325 Review.
-
Acid-sensing ion channel 2 contributes a major component to acid-evoked excitatory responses in spiral ganglion neurons and plays a role in noise susceptibility of mice.J Neurosci. 2004 Nov 10;24(45):10167-75. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3196-04.2004. J Neurosci. 2004. PMID: 15537887 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
