A novel suppressor of Piezo2 in rodent nociceptors.

Members of both the Piezo and transmembrane channel-like (TMC) families are bona fide mammalian mechanotransducers. In a recent study, Zhang, Shao et al. discovered that TMC7, a non-mechanosensitive TMC, inhibits Piezo2-dependent mechanosensation, with implications for the importance of cellular context for Piezo2 channels in normal and pathological responses to mechanical pain.

An invertebrate model in examining the effect of acute ferric iron exposure on proprioceptive neurons.

Iron is an essential element for plant and animal life and is found in soil, fresh waters and marine waters. The Fe ion is a vital prosthetic group and cofactor to mitochondrial electron transport complexes and numerous proteins involved in normal functioning. Despite its importance to life-sustaining processes, overexposure results in toxicity.

The Effect of Doxapram on Proprioceptive Neurons: Invertebrate Model.

The resting membrane potential enables neurons to rapidly initiate and conduct electrical signals. K2p channels are key in maintaining this membrane potential and electrical excitability. They direct the resting membrane potential toward the K equilibrium potential.

Quantitative Evaluation of Tactile Foraging Behavior in Pekin and Muscovy Ducks.

Ducks have developed a variety of foraging strategies that utilize touch sensitive bills to match their ecological niche within wetlands. These techniques include diving, sieving, dabbling, and grazing. Ducks exhibiting tactile specialization in foraging outperform visual and non-tactile foraging ducks in behavioral experiments and have a higher percentage of light-touch mechanoreceptor neurons expressing Piezo2 in the trigeminal ganglia.