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In 2007, neuroscientists identified the first specific itch-associated gene in certain spinal cord neurons of mice. The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) gene is a member of the bombesin family; bombesin is an amphibian protein widely distributed in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, and one of its human homologues, gastrin-releasing peptide, is involved in many regulatory physiological processes. The researchers found that mutant mice lacking the GRPR had a significantly reduced scratch response to pruritogenic stimuli. Now, the same researchers explored whether selectively ablating the itch-signaling neurons also affected pain-related behaviors.
Ablation of the spinal GRPR neurons eliminated or reduced scratchin…