Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
09:27
Cell Subtype-specific Analysis of Neuronal Membrane Proteasome in Somatosensory Neurons
Published on: October 10, 2025
736
Deep visual proteomics uncovers nociceptor diversity and pain targets
Sampurna Chakrabarti1,2, Anuar Makhmut3,4, Atena Mohammadi5
1Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Molecular Physiology of Somatic Sensation Laboratory, 13125, Berlin, Germany. Sampurna.chakrabarti@helmholtz-hzi.de.
Nature Communications
|April 11, 2026
Summary
Researchers quantified over 6000 proteins in mouse sensory neurons using deep visual proteomics. This study reveals proteomic markers for neuron subtypes and mechanisms of pain sensitization, linking molecular identity to function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Proteomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Somatic sensory neuron diversity underlies our sensory experiences.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing identified molecular bases for this diversity.
- Proteomic diversity of sensory neurons remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the proteome of phenotypically-defined mouse sensory neurons.
- To identify proteomic markers for sensory neuron subtypes.
- To investigate proteomic changes associated with pain sensitization.
Main Methods:
- Deep visual proteomics combined with electrophysiology.
- Quantification of over 6000 proteins from mouse sensory neurons.
- Analysis of proteomic and transcriptomic data concordance and divergence.
Main Results:
- Identification of proteomic markers for sensory neuron subtypes.
- Demonstration of subset-specific protein signatures, with up to 3000 proteins quantified from a single neuron.
- Functional sensitization of nociceptive neurons by nerve growth factor (NGF) linked to proteome changes and identified B3GNT2 as a potential effector.
Conclusions:
- A high-resolution proteomic resource linking molecular identity to neuronal function has been established.
- This resource enables discovery of mechanisms underlying somatic sensation.
- The study provides insights into molecular mechanisms of pain sensitization.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:44Nociception
34.9K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
34.9K
01:24Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
1.7K
Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
1.7K
01:20Pain
1.9K
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
1.9K
01:16Sensory Functions of the Skin
9.5K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
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...
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...
9.5K
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
3.1K
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
3.1K