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Review
. 2011 Feb;21(1):52-60.
doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2010.09.003. Epub 2010 Oct 1.

Generation of somatic sensory neuron diversity and implications on sensory coding

Yang Liu  1 , Qiufu Ma
Affiliations
Review

Generation of somatic sensory neuron diversity and implications on sensory coding

Yang Liu et al. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are composed of a variety of sensory modalities, three of which are pain-sensing nociceptors, temperature-sensing thermoceptors, and itch-sensing pruriceptors. All these neurons are emerged from a common pool of embryonic DRG neurons that are marked by the expression of the neurotrophin receptor TrkA. Here we discuss how intrinsic transcription factors interface with target-derived signals to specify these functionally distinct sensory neurons. We will also discuss how this control mechanism provides a developmental perspective for the coding of somatic sensations.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Genesis and segregation of major classes of sensory neurons. (A) Differential roles of Neurog1 and Neurog2 in controlling the genesis of major categories of sensory neurons. Solid and dashes arrows indicate the major and minor contributions, respectively. (B) Differential innervations of peptidergic and non-peptidergic neurons to peripheral and central targets. (C) Embryonic TrkA+ neurons give rise to adult TrkA+ peptidergic and Ret+ non-peptidergic neurons, and Runx1 is essential for the formation of Ret+ non-peptidergic neurons.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dynamic expression and functions of Runx1 and neurotrophin receptors during segregation of peptidergic versus non-peptidergic neurons. Dashed arrows indicate possible contributions.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Regulation of sensory channels and receptors. (A) Dynamic expression of TRP channels. (B) Progressive segregation of sensory modalities controlled by dynamic expression and dual activator/repressor activity of Runx1. Runx1 is a constitutive activator for Mrgprd, and Mrgprd expression is confined to Runx1-persistent neurons. Runx1 first acts as an activator for Mrgprc11, Mrgpra3, and Mrgprb4, but becomes a repressor at later stages; as a result, these genes can only be sustained in Runx1-transient neurons. The segregation of Mrgpra3+ and Mrgprb4+ neurons is further controlled by a selective involvement of Smad4-mediated BMP signaling in controlling Mrgprb4 expresssion (see also C). (C) Roles of target-derived signaling in regulating the expression of sensory channels and receptors. Note that expression of individual channels or receptors is dependent of specific combination of signaling pathways. “TRPA1(h)” means high level of TRPA1 expression. “Ret(*)” means that Ret is dispensable for Mrgprd expression, but essential for Mrgprd+ neurons to innervate the skin epidermis [25]. The percentages of DRG neurons expressing these channels/receptors are also shown.
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