Deep sequencing of Phox2a nuclei reveals five classes of anterolateral system neurons.

The anterolateral system (ALS) is a major ascending pathway from the spinal cord that underlies perception of pain, itch and skin temperature. It is therefore an important target for the development of new treatments for chronic pain. Our understanding of this system has been hampered by the considerable diversity of its constituent cells. Here we dissect the complex heterogeneity of these cells by using high-resolution RNA sequencing. We reveal five distinct types of ALS neurons, which are differentially distributed within the spinal cord, and probably represent functional populations. Our data provide novel insights into the molecular architecture of the ALS, and will be important for future studies to define the roles of different ALS cell types in sensory processing.