Proprioception: Our Sixth Sense
“Here we [researchers at the] Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (Berlin)] used a single-cell transcriptomic approach to define mouse proprioceptor [the sense of body position in space] subtypes according to the identity of the muscle they innervate. We identified and validated molecular signatures associated with proprioceptors innervating back (Tox, Epha3), abdominal (C1ql2), and hindlimb (Gabrg1, Efna5) muscles. We also found that proprioceptor muscle identity precedes acquisition of receptor character and comprise programs controlling wiring specificity. These findings indicate that muscle-type identity is a fundamental aspect of proprioceptor subtype differentiation that is acquired during early development and includes molecular programs involved in the control of muscle target specificity.” MORE
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