AUTHOR=Wang Jigong , La Jun-Ho , Hamill Owen P. 

TITLE=PIEZO1 Is Selectively Expressed in Small Diameter Mouse DRG Neurons Distinct From Neurons Strongly Expressing TRPV1

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2019.00178

DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2019.00178

ISSN=1662-5099

ABSTRACT=<p>Using a high resolution <italic>in situ</italic> hybridization technique we have measured <italic>PIEZO1</italic>, <italic>PIEZO2</italic>, and <italic>TRPV1</italic> transcripts in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Consistent with previous studies, <italic>PIEZO2</italic> transcripts were highly expressed in DRG neurons of all sizes, including most notably the largest diameter neurons implicated in mediating touch and proprioception. In contrast, <italic>PIEZO1</italic> transcripts were selectively expressed in smaller DRG neurons, which are implicated in mediating nociception. Moreover, the small neurons expressing <italic>PIEZO1</italic> were mostly distinct from those neurons that strongly expressed <italic>TRPV1</italic>, one of the channels implicated in heat-nociception. Interestingly, while <italic>PIEZO1-</italic> and <italic>TRPV1-</italic> expressing neurons form essentially non-overlapping populations, <italic>PIEZO2</italic> showed co-expression in both populations. Using an <italic>in vivo</italic> functional test for the selective expression, we found that Yoda1, a PIEZO1-specific agonist, induced a mechanical hyperalgesia that displayed a significantly prolonged time course compared with that induced by capsaicin, a TRPV1-specific agonist. Taken together, our results indicate that PIEZO1 should be considered a potential candidate in forming the long sought channel mediating mechano-nociception.</p>