Role of BK Channels and Kv4.2 Channels in the Electrophysiological Properties of Merkel Cells in Rat Whisker Hair Follicles

October 2025 in “ Journal of Neurophysiology ”

Akihiro Yamada, Jianguo G. Gu

BK channels Kv4.2 channels Merkel cells whisker hair follicles

TLDR BK and Kv4.2 channels help Merkel cells in rat whiskers sense touch.

Patch-clamp recordings from Merkel cells in rat whisker hair follicles revealed the presence of BK channels and Kv4.2 channels. These channels are crucial for the electrophysiological properties of Merkel cells, with BK channels involved in action potential repolarization and Kv4.2 channels in maintaining resting membrane potentials. This suggests that BK and Kv4.2 channels significantly contribute to tactile encoding by influencing the intrinsic properties of Merkel cells.

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Role of BK Channels and Kv4.2 Channels in the Electrophysiological Properties of Merkel Cells in Rat Whisker Hair Follicles

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