Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
Anoctamin 1/TMEM16A in pruritoceptors is essential for Mas-related G protein receptor-dependent itch
Hyesu Kim1,2, Hyungsup Kim1, Hawon Cho3
1Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Itch is an unpleasant sensation that evokes a desire to scratch. Pathologic conditions such as allergy or atopic dermatitis produce severe itching sensation. Mas-related G protein receptors (Mrgprs) are receptors for many endogenous pruritogens. However, signaling pathways downstream to these receptors in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons are not yet understood. We found that anoctamin 1 (ANO1), a Ca 2+ -activated chloride channel, is a transduction channel mediating Mrgpr-dependent itch signals. Genetic ablation of Ano1 in DRG neurons displayed a significant reduction in scratching behaviors in response to acute and chronic Mrgpr-dependent itch models and the epidermal hyperplasia induced by dry skin. In vivo Ca 2+ imaging and electrophysiological recording revealed that chloroquine and other agonists of Mrgprs excited DRG neurons via ANO1. More importantly, the overexpression of Ano1 in DRG neurons of Ano1 -deficient mice rescued the impaired itching observed in Ano1 -deficient mice. These results demonstrate that ANO1 mediates the Mrgpr-dependent itch signaling in pruriceptors and provides clues to treating pathologic itch syndromes.
More Related Videos
08:35A Simple and Inexpensive Method for Determining Cold Sensitivity and Adaptation in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2015
09:39Establishing a Mouse Model of a Pure Small Fiber Neuropathy with the Ultrapotent Agonist of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1
Published on: February 13, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Sensory Functions of the Skin
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
Thermosensation
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory...
Nociception
Somatosensation