Signaling nanodomains in somatosensory neurons

Somatosensory system processes stimuli related to sensations of touch, temperature, body position, pain and itch.

Peripheral somatosensory nerves contain various molecular sensors that respond to specific external events (like touching a hot object) and a single nerve usually possesses a range of different sensors.

A major puzzle in the field of sensory physiology is how different types of signals are specifically interpreted by a single sensory neuron. This proposal is part of our efforts to solve this puzzle.

Our hypothesis is that different signalling mechanisms are 'packed' in isolated 'nanodomains' within a neuron, allowing it to use common signalling events and messenger molecules to generate specific responses to various stimuli. Here we will focus on one specific aspect - neuronal response to inflammation, which often results in pain sensation.

We identified a specific structure formed at junctions between the plasma membrane (PM) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where several pro-inflammatory receptors and ion channels are clustered together in signaling nanodomains.

Our project aims to elucidate mechanisms and molecules involved in formation and functions of signaling nanodomains at the ER-PM junctions with an ultimate goal of learning to manipulate with these nanodomains in order to separate inflammation from pain