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The TRP ion channel family
D E Clapham1, L W Runnels, C Strübing
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1309 Enders Building, 320 Longwood Avenue, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. clapham@rascal.med.harvard.edu
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|June 5, 2001
Summary
Mammalian TRP channels are a family of 20+ ion channels involved in cell signaling. Their precise physiological roles, particularly in pain, calcium signaling, and cell cycle modulation, are still under investigation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Physiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Mammalian homologues of the Drosophila transient receptor potential (TRP) channel gene encode a diverse family of ion channel proteins.
- These TRP channels are widely distributed across mammalian tissues, yet their specific physiological functions remain largely uncharacterized.
- A unifying characteristic of TRP channels is their regulation by phosphatidylinositol signal transduction pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the largely unknown physiological functions of mammalian TRP channels.
- To explore the role of TRP channels in various cellular processes, including pain responses, calcium homeostasis, and cell cycle regulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mammalian TRP channel gene homologues.
- Investigation of channel structure, including six transmembrane domains and tetrameric assembly.
- Examination of activation and modulation by phosphatidylinositol signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Identified a family of at least 20 mammalian TRP channel proteins.
- Determined that TRP channel subunits assemble into tetramers, forming non-selective cation channels.
- Highlighted that TRP channels facilitate calcium ion influx into cells.
- Noted that one subgroup of TRP channels is involved in pain responses.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian TRP channels are crucial ion channels with diverse functions.
- TRP channels play roles in calcium influx, pain sensation, intracellular calcium store replenishment, receptor-mediated excitation, and cell cycle modulation.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the specific physiological roles of this important channel family.