The patterns of nociceptive innervation in skin and spinal cord differ in mammals and lower vertebrates. Guo et al. report that nerve growth factor induces the transcription factor Hoxd1 in mouse, but not chick, sensory neurons, and that expression of Hoxd1 is necessary and sufficient for a mammalian-like pattern of nociceptive projections in vivo.
- Ting Guo
- Kenji Mandai
- David D Ginty
