scholarly journals How Cold is It? TRPM8 and TRPA1 in the Molecular Logic of Cold Sensation

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1744-8069-1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
David D McKemy

Recognition of temperature is a critical element of sensory perception and allows us to evaluate both our external and internal environments. In vertebrates, the somatosensory system can discriminate discrete changes in ambient temperature, which activate nerve endings of primary afferent fibers. These thermosensitive nerves can be further segregated into those that detect either innocuous or noxious (painful) temperatures; the latter neurons being nociceptors. We now know that thermosensitive afferents express ion channels of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family that respond at distinct temperature thresholds, thus establishing the molecular basis for thermosensation. Much is known of those channels mediating the perception of noxious heat; however, those proposed to be involved in cool to noxious cold sensation, TRPM8 and TRPA1, have only recently been described. The former channel is a receptor for menthol, and links the sensations provided by this and other cooling compounds to temperature perception. While TRPM8 almost certainly performs a critical role in cold signaling, its part in nociception is still at issue. The latter channel, TRPA1, is activated by the pungent ingredients in mustard and cinnamon, but has also been postulated to mediate our perception of noxious cold temperatures. However, a number of conflicting reports have suggested that the role of this channel in cold sensation needs to be confirmed. Thus, the molecular logic for the perception of cold-evoked pain remains enigmatic. This review is intended to summarize our current understanding of these cold thermoreceptors, as well as address the current controversy regarding TRPA1 and cold signaling.

Physiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Latorre ◽  
Sebastián Brauchi ◽  
Rodolfo Madrid ◽  
Patricio Orio

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a calcium-permeable cation channel activated by cold, cooling compounds and voltage, is the main molecular entity responsible for detection of cold temperatures in the somatosensory system. Here, we review the biophysical properties, physiological role, and near-membrane trafficking of this exciting polymodal ion channel.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. E1363-E1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Held ◽  
Tatjana Kichko ◽  
Katrien De Clercq ◽  
Hugo Klaassen ◽  
Rieta Van Bree ◽  
...  

Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel subfamily M member 3 (TRPM3), a member of the TRP channel superfamily, was recently identified as a nociceptor channel in the somatosensory system, where it is involved in the detection of noxious heat; however, owing to the lack of potent and selective agonists, little is known about other potential physiological consequences of the opening of TRPM3. Here we identify and characterize a synthetic TRPM3 activator, CIM0216, whose potency and apparent affinity greatly exceeds that of the canonical TRPM3 agonist, pregnenolone sulfate (PS). In particular, a single application of CIM0216 causes opening of both the central calcium-conducting pore and the alternative cation permeation pathway in a membrane-delimited manner. CIM0216 evoked robust calcium influx in TRPM3-expressing somatosensory neurons, and intradermal injection of the compound induced a TRPM3-dependent nocifensive behavior. Moreover, CIM0216 elicited the release of the peptides calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from sensory nerve terminals and insulin from isolated pancreatic islets in a TRPM3-dependent manner. These experiments identify CIM0216 as a powerful tool for use in investigating the physiological roles of TRPM3, and indicate that TRPM3 activation in sensory nerve endings can contribute to neurogenic inflammation.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor Sinica ◽  
Lucie Zimova ◽  
Kristyna Barvikova ◽  
Lucie Macikova ◽  
Ivan Barvik ◽  
...  

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel (TRPA1) serves as a key sensor for reactive electrophilic compounds across all species. Its sensitivity to temperature, however, differs among species, a variability that has been attributed to an evolutionary divergence. Mouse TRPA1 was implicated in noxious cold detection but was later also identified as one of the prime noxious heat sensors. Moreover, human TRPA1, originally considered to be temperature-insensitive, turned out to act as an intrinsic bidirectional thermosensor that is capable of sensing both cold and heat. Using electrophysiology and modeling, we compare the properties of human and mouse TRPA1, and we demonstrate that both orthologues are activated by heat, and their kinetically distinct components of voltage-dependent gating are differentially modulated by heat and cold. Furthermore, we show that both orthologues can be strongly activated by cold after the concurrent application of voltage and heat. We propose an allosteric mechanism that could account for the variability in TRPA1 temperature responsiveness.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 668
Author(s):  
Concetta Altamura ◽  
Maria Raffaella Greco ◽  
Maria Rosaria Carratù ◽  
Rosa Angela Cardone ◽  
Jean-François Desaphy

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, due to late diagnosis, development of platinum resistance, and inadequate alternative therapy. It has been demonstrated that membrane ion channels play important roles in cancer processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, motility, and invasion. Here, we review the contribution of ion channels in the development and progression of OC, evaluating their potential in clinical management. Increased expression of voltage-gated and epithelial sodium channels has been detected in OC cells and tissues and shown to be involved in cancer proliferation and invasion. Potassium and calcium channels have been found to play a critical role in the control of cell cycle and in the resistance to apoptosis, promoting tumor growth and recurrence. Overexpression of chloride and transient receptor potential channels was found both in vitro and in vivo, supporting their contribution to OC. Furthermore, ion channels have been shown to influence the sensitivity of OC cells to neoplastic drugs, suggesting a critical role in chemotherapy resistance. The study of ion channels expression and function in OC can improve our understanding of pathophysiology and pave the way for identifying ion channels as potential targets for tumor diagnosis and treatment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (5) ◽  
pp. F393-F397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daria V. Ilatovskaya ◽  
Alexander Staruschenko

Podocytes (terminally differentiated epithelial cells of the glomeruli) play a key role in the maintenance of glomerular structure and permeability and in the incipiency of various renal abnormalities. Injury to podocytes is considered a major contributor to the development of kidney disease as their loss causes proteinuria and progressive glomerulosclerosis. The physiological function of podocytes is critically dependent on proper intracellular calcium handling; excessive calcium influx in these cells may result in the effacement of foot processes, apoptosis, and subsequent glomeruli damage. One of the key proteins responsible for calcium flux in the podocytes is transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 6 (TRPC6); a gain-of-function mutation in TRPC6 has been associated with the onset of the familial forms of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Recent data also revealed a critical role of this channel in the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, major efforts of the research community have been recently dedicated to unraveling the TRPC6-dependent effects in the initiation of podocyte injury. This mini-review focuses on the TRPC6 channel in podocytes and colligates recent data in an attempt to shed some light on the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of TRPC6-mediated glomeruli damage and its potential role as a therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1706-1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Li ◽  
Rachael L Baylie ◽  
Matthew J Tavares ◽  
Joseph E Brayden

Cerebral parenchymal arterioles (PAs) have a critical role in assuring appropriate blood flow and perfusion pressure within the brain. They are unique in contrast to upstream pial arteries, as defined by their critical roles in neurovascular coupling, distinct sensitivities to chemical stimulants, and enhanced myogenic tone development. The objective of the present study was to reveal some of the unique mechanisms of myogenic tone regulation in the cerebral microcirculation. Here, we report that in vivo suppression of TRPM4 (transient receptor potential) channel expression, or inhibition of TRPM4 channels with 9-phenanthrol substantially reduced myogenic tone of isolated PAs, supporting a key role of TRPM4 channels in PA myogenic tone development. Further, downregulation of TRPM4 channels inhibited vasoconstriction induced by the specific P2Y4 and P2Y6 receptor ligands (UTP γS and UDP) by 37% and 42%, respectively. In addition, 9-phenanthrol substantially attenuated purinergic ligand-induced membrane depolarization and constriction of PAs, and inhibited ligand-evoked TRPM4 channel activation in isolated PA myocytes. In concert with our previous work showing the essential contributions of P2Y4 and P2Y6 receptors to myogenic regulation of PAs, the current results point to TRPM4 channels as an important link between mechanosensitive P2Y receptor activation and myogenic constriction of cerebral PAs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. eaaz3367 ◽  
Author(s):  
DongXu He ◽  
AiQin Mao ◽  
YouRan Li ◽  
SiuCheung Tam ◽  
YongTang Zheng ◽  
...  

Mammalian transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are major components of Ca2+ signaling pathways and control a diversity of physiological functions. Here, we report a specific role for TRPC1 in the entry of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) into cells. HSV-1–induced Ca2+ release and entry were dependent on Orai1, STIM1, and TRPC1. Inhibition of Ca2+ entry or knockdown of these proteins attenuated viral entry and infection. HSV-1 glycoprotein D interacted with the third ectodomain of TRPC1, and this interaction facilitated viral entry. Knockout of TRPC1 attenuated HSV-1–induced ocular abnormality and morbidity in vivo in TRPC1−/− mice. There was a strong correlation between HSV-1 infection and plasma membrane localization of TRPC1 in epithelial cells within oral lesions in buccal biopsies from HSV-1–infected patients. Together, our findings demonstrate a critical role for TRPC1 in HSV-1 infection and suggest the channel as a potential target for anti-HSV therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Haihong Wang ◽  
Xinyi Zhou ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Xiaowei Qian ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
...  

Background. Pyroptosis, a new form of cell death, which has special morphological characteristics, depends on caspase-1 activation and occupies an important role in inflammatory immune diseases and ischemia-reperfusion injury. ROS is a common activator of NLR/caspase-1. Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2), a selective cation channel, is involved in inflammatory regulation. This study was designed to explore the role of TRPM2 in activating caspase-1 and caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis of mouse BMDMs. Methods. BMDMs isolated from WT and TRPM2−/− mice were treated with LPS and ATP, along with ROS inhibitor (NAC and DPI), caspase-1 inhibitor (Z-YVAD), or not. The activation of caspase-1 was measured by western blot. EtBr and EthD-2 staining were used to assess the incidence of pyroptosis. Results. Compared with WT, the activated caspase-1-P10 was higher and the percentage of EtBr positive cells was also increased in TRPM2−/− group, which were both inhibited by Z-YVAD, NAC, or DPI. ASC oligomerization was increased in TRPM2−/− group. Conclusion. Deletion of TRPM2 can enhance the activation of caspase-1 and pyroptosis, which may be via modulating ROS production, suggesting that TRPM2 plays a critical role in immune adjustment.


Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Aude Lafoux ◽  
Sabine Lotteau ◽  
Corinne Huchet ◽  
Sylvie Ducreux

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) belongs to the transient receptor potential superfamily of sensory receptors. TRPV1 is a non-selective cation channel permeable to Ca2+ that is capable of detecting noxious heat temperature and acidosis. In skeletal muscles, TRPV1 operates as a reticular Ca2+-leak channel and several TRPV1 mutations have been associated with two muscle disorders: malignant hyperthermia (MH) and exertional heat stroke (EHS). Although TRPV1−/− mice have been available since the 2000s, TRPV1’s role in muscle physiology has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the focus of this work was to characterize the contractile phenotype of skeletal muscles of TRPV1-deficient mice at rest and after four weeks of exercise. As MS and EHS have a higher incidence in men than in women, we also investigated sex-related phenotype differences. Our results indicated that, without exercise, TRPV1−/− mice improved in vivo muscle strength with an impairment of skeletal muscle in vitro twitch features, i.e., delayed contraction and relaxation. Additionally, exercise appeared detrimental to TRPV1−/− slow-twitch muscles, especially in female animals.


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