A dedicated skin-to-brain circuit for cool sensation in mice

• We are highlighting one of our saporin conjugates, Bombesin-SAP. A tool for depleting cells that express gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR). Bombesin is a 14-amino acid peptide actually found in frog skin. The human equivalent GRP has been detected in itch pathways and plays a role in eating behaviors. 
• Here is a recent publication using Bombesin-SAP:
  • Lee H, Hor CC, Horwitz LR, Xiong A, Su XY, Soden DR, Yang S, Cai W, Zhang W, Li C, Radcliff C, Dinh A, Fung TLR, Rovcanin I, Pipe KP, Xu XZS, Duan B (2025) A dedicated skin-to-brain circuit for cool sensation in mice. Nat Commun 16(1):6731. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-61562-y PMID: 40721582

• Their objective was to investigate the functional contributions of specific spinal dorsal horn neuron subtypes to cold and pain sensation using targeted ablation and optogenetic tools.  

• The authors were able to administer Bombesin-SAP (IT-40) or a control conjugate (Blank-SAP, IT-21) intrathecally to ablate GRPR-positive spinal neurons to assess their role in sensory behavior. 

• In their study, they identified Calb1+ spinal neurons as essential mediators of cool sensation in mice. Behavioral and physiological responses following targeted ablation revealed distinct sensory processing roles for various neuronal subtypes. 

Related Products: Bombesin-SAP (Cat. #IT-40), Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21)

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