Figure 8.

Merkel cell deletion alters the expression of SAI ion channel components. A, qPCR analysis of ion channels in P21 thoracic DRGs (n ≥ 8 mice/genotype at each age). B–G, Immunostaining for NF200, γENaC, Asic1, and DOR in T7 DRG sections from P21 control littermate and K14; Atoh1^CKO mice. Asterisks indicate double-positive cells. H, Percentages of Islet1/2⁺ T7 DRG neurons that were NF200⁺ γENaC⁺, NF200⁺Asic1, and NF200⁺DOR⁺ in P21 control and K14; Atoh1^CKO mice (n ≥ 3 mice/genotype). Error bars in graphs represent the SEM, and asterisks indicate statistically significant differences between genotypes. *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001.