AI Summary
The article discusses research by Yamada et al. indicating that acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are responsible for fast excitatory synaptic transmission at tactile end organs, specifically Merkel cell-neurite complexes (MNCs), with protons acting as the main transmitters. This highlights the important role ASICs play in tactile discrimination and the sense of touch in mammals.
Yamada et al. show that acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission at the tactile end organs, Merkel cell-neurite complexes (MNCs), with protons serving as the principal transmitters. This suggests the unique role of ASICs in the sense of touch and tactile discrimination in mammals.