CGRPα-GFP⁺ DRG neurons respond to agonists that evoke pain and itch sensation.

<p>(A) Farnesylated GFP-DTR knocked-in to the start codon of CGRPα. Expression of DTR is conditionally blocked by LoxP flanked GFP and three polyadenylation signals (not shown). LoxP sites are oriented so that the first ATG encountered is in GFP. (B) Representative images of cultured DRG neurons from a CGRPα-GFP^+/− mouse after loading with Fura2-AM. Arrows point to CGRPα-GFP⁺ neurons. (C–J) Responses of CGRPα-GFP⁺ neurons from heterozygous mice to (C) capsaicin (1 µM), (D) mustard oil (100 µM), (E) menthol (200 µM), (F) icilin (4 µM), (G) histamine (100 µM), (H) chloroquine (1 mM), (I) ATP (100 µM) and (J) acidic pH, followed by stimulation with 100 mM KCl to identify healthy neurons. Scale bar in (B) right panel is 50 µm.