Rapid molecular evolution of pain insensitivity in multiple African rodents

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 364 (6443) ◽  
pp. 852-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Eigenbrod ◽  
Karlien Y. Debus ◽  
Jane Reznick ◽  
Nigel C. Bennett ◽  
Oscar Sánchez-Carranza ◽  
...  

Noxious substances, called algogens, cause pain and are used as defensive weapons by plants and stinging insects. We identified four previously unknown instances of algogen-insensitivity by screening eight African rodent species related to the naked mole-rat with the painful substances capsaicin, acid (hydrogen chloride, pH 3.5), and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). Using RNA sequencing, we traced the emergence of sequence variants in transduction channels, like transient receptor potential channel TRPA1 and voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7, that accompany algogen insensitivity. In addition, the AITC-insensitive highveld mole-rat exhibited overexpression of the leak channel NALCN (sodium leak channel, nonselective), ablating AITC detection by nociceptors. These molecular changes likely rendered highveld mole-rats immune to the stings of the Natal droptail ant. Our study reveals how evolution can be used as a discovery tool to find molecular mechanisms that shut down pain.

Physiology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost G. J. Hoenderop ◽  
René J. M. Bindels

Significant progress has been made into our understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for Ca2+ and Mg2+ homeostasis. Members of the transient receptor potential channel (TRP) superfamily proved essential to the maintenance of divalent cation levels by regulating their absorption from renal and intestinal lumina. This review highlights the molecular and functional aspects of these new calciotropic and magnesiotropic TRPs in health and disease.


Author(s):  
Tianshun Fang ◽  
Xianhao Zhou ◽  
Mingchao Jin ◽  
Jiangbo Nie ◽  
XIongfeng Li

Abstract Introduction Mechanical loading enhances the progression of osteoarthritis. However, its molecular mechanisms have not been established. Objective The aim of this review was to summarize the probable mechanisms of mechanical load-induced osteoarthritis. Methods A comprehensive search strategy was used to search PubMed and EMBASE databases (from the 15th of January 2015 to the 20th of October 2020). Search terms included “osteoarthritis”, “mechanical load”, and “mechanism”. Results Abnormal mechanical loading activates the interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor kappa-B, Wnt, transforming growth factor-β, microRNAs pathways, and the oxidative stress pathway. These pathways induce the pathological progression of osteoarthritis. Mechanical stress signal receptors such as integrin, ion channel receptors, hydrogen peroxide-inducible clone-5, Gremlin-1, and transient receptor potential channel 4 are present in the articular cartilages. Conclusion This review highlights the molecular mechanisms of mechanical loading in inducing chondrocyte apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation. These mechanisms provide potential targets for osteoarthritis prevention and treatment.


2010 ◽  
Vol 433 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Samad ◽  
Lucie Sura ◽  
Jan Benedikt ◽  
Rudiger Ettrich ◽  
Babak Minofar ◽  
...  

The ankyrin transient receptor potential channel TRPA1 is a non-selective cationic channel that is expressed by sensory neurons, where it can be activated by pungent chemicals, such as AITC (allyl isothiocyanate), cinnamon or allicin, by deep cooling (<18 °C) or highly depolarizing voltages (>+100 mV). From the cytoplasmic side, this channel can be regulated by negatively charged ligands such as phosphoinositides or inorganic polyphosphates, most likely through an interaction with as yet unidentified positively charged domain(s). In the present study, we mutated 27 basic residues along the C-terminal tail of TRPA1, trying to explore their role in AITC- and voltage-dependent gating. In the proximal part of the C-terminus, the function-affecting mutations were at Lys969, Arg975, Lys988 and Lys989. A second significant region was found in the predicted helix, centred around Lys1048 and Lys1052, in which single alanine mutations completely abolished AITC- and voltage-dependent activation. In the distal portion of the C-terminus, the charge neutralizations K1092A and R1099A reduced the AITC sensitivity, and, in the latter mutant, increased the voltage-induced steady-state responses. Taken together, our findings identify basic residues in the C-terminus that are strongly involved in TRPA1 voltage and chemical sensitivity, and some of them may represent possible interaction sites for negatively charged molecules that are generally considered to modulate TRPA1.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Yu Fu ◽  
Peng Shang ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Xiaolong Tian ◽  
Ruixue Nie ◽  
...  

In animals, muscle growth is a quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes. Previously, we showed that the transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1) gene was differentially expressed in muscle tissues between pig breeds with divergent growth traits base on RNA-seq. Here, we characterized TRPC1 expression profiles in different tissues and pig breeds and showed that TRPC1 was highly expressed in the muscle. We found two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (C-1763T and C-1604T) in TRPC1 that could affect the promoter region activity and regulate pig growth rate. Functionally, we used RNAi and overexpression to illustrate that TRPC1 promotes myoblast proliferation, migration, differentiation, fusion, and muscle hypertrophy while inhibiting muscle degradation. These processes may be mediated by the activation of Wnt signaling pathways. Altogether, our results revealed that TRPC1 might promote muscle growth and development and plays a key role in Wnt-mediated myogenesis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 174480692092542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Min Shin ◽  
Brandon Itson-Zoske ◽  
Yongsong Cai ◽  
Chensheng Qiu ◽  
Bin Pan ◽  
...  

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is well documented as an important molecule in pain hypersensitivity following inflammation and nerve injury and in many other cellular biological processes. Here, we show that TRPA1 is expressed not only by sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) but also in their adjacent satellite glial cells (SGCs), as well as nonmyelinating Schwann cells. TRPA1 immunoreactivity is also detected in various cutaneous structures of sensory neuronal terminals, including small and large caliber cutaneous sensory fibers and endings. The SGC-expressed TRPA1 is functional. Like DRG neurons, dissociated SGCs exhibit a robust response to the TRPA1-selective agonist allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) by an increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). These responses are abolished by the TRPA1 antagonist HC030031 and are absent in SGCs and neurons from global TRPA1 null mice. SGCs and neurons harvested from DRG proximal to painful tissue inflammation induced by plantar injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant show greater AITC-evoked elevation of [Ca2+]i and slower recovery compared to sham controls. Similar TRPA1 sensitization occurs in both SGCs and neurons during neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury. Together, these results show that functional TRPA1 is expressed by sensory ganglia SGCs, and TRPA1 function in SGCs is enhanced after both peripheral inflammation and nerve injury, and suggest that TRPA1 in SGCs may contribute to inflammatory and neuropathic pain.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document