| First Author | Qi L | Year | 2024 |
| Journal | Cell | Volume | 187 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 1508-1526.e16 |
| PubMed ID | 38442711 | Mgi Jnum | J:348651 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7616001 | Doi | 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.006 |
| Citation | Qi L, et al. (2024) A mouse DRG genetic toolkit reveals morphological and physiological diversity of somatosensory neuron subtypes. Cell 187(6):1508-1526.e16 |
| abstractText | Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) somatosensory neurons detect mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli acting on the body. Achieving a holistic view of how different DRG neuron subtypes relay neural signals from the periphery to the CNS has been challenging with existing tools. Here, we develop and curate a mouse genetic toolkit that allows for interrogating the properties and functions of distinct cutaneous targeting DRG neuron subtypes. These tools have enabled a broad morphological analysis, which revealed distinct cutaneous axon arborization areas and branching patterns of the transcriptionally distinct DRG neuron subtypes. Moreover, in vivo physiological analysis revealed that each subtype has a distinct threshold and range of responses to mechanical and/or thermal stimuli. These findings support a model in which morphologically and physiologically distinct cutaneous DRG sensory neuron subtypes tile mechanical and thermal stimulus space to collectively encode a wide range of natural stimuli. |
