PKD2L1 channels segregated to the apical compartment are the dual-mode pH sensor in cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons.

PKD2L1 channels located in the apical process of cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons are highly sensitive to pH and modulate neuronal excitability.

• Why it matters: Understanding how CSFcNs sense and respond to CSF composition is crucial for insights into their sensory functions and neural regulation within the spinal cord.
• What they did: The study combined electrophysiology and optical methods to investigate PKD2L1 channel sensitivity to pH and their localization in intact and isolated apical processes, revealing their specific placement and properties.
• The result: Findings show that PKD2L1 channels in the apical process generate pH-sensitive currents that finely tune CSFcN excitability, supporting their role as dual-mode pH sensors in CSF.