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TREK-1 is a heat-activated background K(+) channel
F Maingret1, I Lauritzen, A J Patel
1Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UPR 411, 660 route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France. ipmc@ipmc.cnrs.fr
The EMBO Journal
|June 3, 2000
Summary
The TREK-1 potassium channel acts as a physiological thermoreceptor, sensing both body and ambient temperatures. Heat opens TREK-1, but this is reversed by substances that sensitize thermoreceptors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Thermoreceptors detect ambient and body temperature.
- Specialized cold and warm receptors are located in sensory neurons and the hypothalamus.
- The TREK-1 potassium channel is highly expressed in these thermoreceptive areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the TREK-1 channel in thermoreception.
- To determine how heat and sensitizing molecules affect TREK-1 activity.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings of TREK-1 channel activity.
- Investigating the effects of temperature changes on TREK-1 currents.
- Examining the impact of Prostaglandin E2 and cAMP on TREK-1 function.
Main Results:
- TREK-1 channels open gradually and reversibly with increasing temperature.
- A 10°C temperature rise increases TREK-1 current amplitude approximately 7-fold.
- Prostaglandin E2 and cAMP reverse heat-induced TREK-1 opening via PKA-mediated phosphorylation.
Conclusions:
- TREK-1 functions as a physiological thermoreceptor.
- Its expression in thermoreceptive neurons supports its role in temperature sensing.
- TREK-1 activity is modulated by heat and signaling pathways involved in thermoreception.