Cell biology of tactile afferents

Abstract

This chapter reviews our current understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of sensory transduction and neurotransmission in mammalian tactile afferents. Recent advances from in vitro studies and rodent models have provided important insights into the cell biology of tactile afferents. The chapter covers fundamental mechanisms of mechanotransduction in cells, how these mechanisms relate to C-tactile afferents, and mechanisms of neurotransmission in these neurons.