KCNQ Potassium Channels Modulate Sensitivity of Skin Down-Hair (D-Hair) Mechanoreceptors

The study investigated the role of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 potassium channels in modulating the sensitivity of skin down-hair (D-hair) mechanoreceptors in mice. Researchers found that these channels were crucial in setting the sensitivity threshold of D-hair receptors, with KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 specifically expressed in a subset of dorsal root ganglia neurons. Electrophysiological recordings showed that the loss of KCNQ3, and further reduction of KCNQ2, increased the firing frequencies of D-hair receptors in response to mechanical stimuli, particularly at low indentation velocities. This indicated that KCNQ channels played a significant role in dampening neuronal excitability and regulating mechanosensitivity, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying touch sensation and potential sensory disorders.