video: Video 2: Merkel cells are essential for encoding light touch. Merkel cell-neurite complexes are touch receptors that encode the fine spatial details of textures and shapes. For example, when our fingertips brush across Braille, Merkel cell-neurite complexes allow us to easily discriminate the patterns that form different characters. As shown in video 1, a branching sensory neuron (vertical arrow) contacts a cluster of mouse Merkel cells (e.g., horizontal arrow) in the skin. Since the discovery of Merkel cells in 1875, scientists have argued over whether these unusual skin cells are necessary for touch sensation. To settle this debate, the Zoghbi and Lumpkin labs teamed up to analyze mutant mice whose body skin lacks Merkel cells but retains their branching sensory neurons (arrow in video 2). This video relates to an article that appeared in the June 19, 2009, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Stephen Maricich of Case Western Reserve University and colleagues was titled, "Merkel Cells Are Essential for Light-Touch Responses." view more
Credit: Video file courtesy of E.A. Lumpkin and S.A. Wellnitz