They identified the molecule that activates the feeling of hotness

A study carried out with laboratory mice has identified a molecule - called natriuretic polypeptide b (NPPB) - which is involved in the sensation of itching. The research, which was published in 'Science', found that mice which had withdrawn this molecule is not cleaned when they were exposed to various substances that induce itching.
The researchers analyzed the functions of a group of nerve cells, or neurons, in the skin, muscles and other tissues, which help to control various external conditions, such as sudden changes in temperature, and identified various neurotransmitters, such as NPPB, to discover what kind of feeling involved.
They found that when exposed to mice deficient in NPPB to itch-causing substances, animals are not cleaned, and that this molecule was necessary to start the feeling of hotness
That's how they found that when exposed to mice deficient in NPPB to substances that cause itching, animals are not cleaned, and that this molecule was necessary to start the feeling of hotness.
The scientists then localized to receptor molecules NPPB in the dorsal horn, a point of the spine where the sensory signals from the peripheral areas of the body are directed to the brain. This receiver NPPB, according to the authors of the work, is the protein NPRA and to withdraw it - Mark Hoon, one of the researchers explained main-, noted there was a short in the sensation of itching, although it had no effect on other sensory touch, temperature and pain sensations.
Hoon says that research has allowed to identify neurons that start itching in mice, and that we should now find a similar biocircuito in human beings in order to analyze it and find the same type of molecules, to check if they can be removed to prevent the itching that cause diseases such as eczema or psoriasis, but without unwanted side effects.
Article contributed for educational purposes
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