Touch sensation requires the mechanically gated ion channel ELKIN1

The extraordinary speed of touch perception is enabled by mechanically-activated ion channels, the opening of which excites cutaneous sensory endings to initiate sensation. We identify Elkin1(1) as an ion channel likely gated by mechanical force necessary for normal behavioral touch sensitivity in mice. Touch insensitivity in Elkin1-/- mice was caused by a loss of mechanically-activated currents (MA-currents) in around half of all sensory neurons that are activated by light touch (low threshold mechanoreceptors, LTMRs). Reintroduction of Elkin1 into sensory neurons from Elkin1-/- mice acutely restored MA-currents. Additionally, siRNA mediated knockdown of Elkin1 from induced human sensory neurons substantially reduced indentation-induced MA-currents supporting a conserved role for Elkin1 in human touch. Our data identify Elkin1 as a novel core component of touch transduction in mammals.