Gary R. Lewin

Decoding the naked mole-rat genome, telomere to telomere

The paper presents a telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of the naked mole-rat and compares it with a related species to identify gene losses and duplications associated with unique traits.

Cryo-EM structure of the naked mole-rat ribosome reveals a stabilized split 28S rRNA

The paper presents cryo-EM structures of the naked mole-rat ribosome, revealing a stabilized split 28S rRNA and its structural context.

Mechanically-gated currents in mouse sensory neurons lacking PIEZO2

This study examines mechanosensitive currents in sensory neurons lacking PIEZO2, finding no significant reduction in current sensitivity but a moderate decrease in rapidly adapting currents.

Cluster nanoarchitecture and structural diversity of PIEZO1 at rest and during activation in intact cells

This study uses MINFLUX nanoscopy to show PIEZO1 channels create membrane invaginations and exhibit conformational changes linked to function and cytoskeletal architecture in intact cells.

A specialized cold sensing system in the naked mole-rat

This study identifies molecular changes in the naked mole-rat that enhance cold sensing through expanded TRPM8 expression and alternative cold detection mechanisms.

Ultrasensitive proteomics uncovers nociceptor diversity and novel pain targets

This study uses ultrasensitive proteomics to uncover nociceptor diversity and identify novel pain targets by analyzing protein expression in sensory neurons.

Mechanosensitive PIEZO2 channels shape coronary artery development

This study shows PIEZO2 channels are critical for coronary artery development, as their absence causes vessel malformations and cardiac issues in mice.

The mechanotransduction protein STOML3 is required for functional plasticity following peripheral nerve regeneration

This study shows that STOML3 is necessary for functional plasticity after peripheral nerve regeneration, as its absence prevents muscle afferents from forming functional mechanosensitive receptive fields despite anatomical plasticity.

TENM4 is an essential transduction component for touch

This study identifies TENM4 as an essential extracellular linker protein for mechanotransduction in mechanoreceptors, showing its role in touch sensitivity.

Sociality shapes mitochondrial adaptations supporting hypoxia tolerance

This study identifies mitochondrial adaptations in naked mole-rats that confer hypoxia resistance, linking social behavior to molecular evolution.

Liver-like glycogen metabolism supports glycolysis in naked mole-rat heart during ischaemia

This study identifies a unique glycogen metabolism in naked mole-rat hearts during ischaemia, involving liver-like mechanisms and amylase activation for enhanced glycolytic flux and ATP maintenance.

Touch sensation requires the mechanically-gated ion channel Elkin1.

This study identifies Elkin1 as a novel mechanically-activated ion channel essential for touch and pain sensation, independent of Piezo2.

Sensory Schwann cells set perceptual thresholds for touch and selectively regulate mechanical nociception

This study identifies sensory Schwann cells as critical for mechanosensation, showing they regulate touch and mechanical nociception.

Touch receptor end-organ innervation and function requires sensory expression of the transcription factor Meis2

This study identifies Meis2 as a critical transcription factor for the proper development and function of touch receptor end-organs in LTMRs, showing its role in innervation and sensory responses.

Prox2+ and Runx3+ neurons regulate esophageal motility

The paper identifies and characterizes Prox2+ and Runx3+ vagal sensory neurons and shows their essential roles in esophageal peristalsis and swallowing.

Piezo2 voltage-block regulates mechanical pain sensitivity

The paper shows that mutations at R2756 in PIEZO2 channels reduce voltage-block, increasing mechanosensitivity in nociceptors and causing hypersensitivity to mechanical pain.

Lack of evidence for participation of TMEM150c/TENTONIN3 in sensory mechanotransduction.

This study investigates whether TMEM150c forms a mechanosensitive ion channel or is required for mechanosensitivity in sensory neurons, finding no evidence to support these claims.

USH2A is a Meissner corpuscle end-organ protein necessary for vibration sensing in mice and humans

This study shows that USH2A is essential for vibration sensing in mice and humans by being expressed in Meissner corpuscle end-organs, not in sensory neurons.

The sensory coding of warm perception

The paper shows mice can discriminate warm temperatures without dedicated thermoreceptors, using polymodal C-fibers and central circuits that integrate inputs from multiple afferents.

Specialized mechanoreceptor systems in rodent glabrous skin

The paper identifies specialized mechanoreceptors in rodent glabrous skin, finding higher density and unique sensitivity in forepaw compared to hind paw.

Voltage-gating of mechanosensitive PIEZO channels

This study shows PIEZO channels are voltage-gated and can switch to purely voltage-gated mode, with disease mutations altering voltage sensitivity.