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Vanilloid and TRP channels: a family of lipid-gated cation channels

C D Benham1, J B Davis, A D Randall

  • 1Neurology Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, New Frontiers Science Park, Harlow, UK.

Neuropharmacology
|June 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, particularly TRP vanilloid (TRPV) channels, are crucial for calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis. Research is clarifying their molecular structure and function, focusing on intracellular ligands that control channel activity.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cell physiology
  • Ion channel research

Background:

  • Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are a family of Ca2+ permeable ion channels.
  • A key characteristic is their activation by intracellular ligands.
  • These channels play a vital role in Ca2+ homeostasis across various cell types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding TRP channel molecular form and physiological function.
  • To highlight the role of intracellular ligands in gating and modulating TRP channel activity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on TRP channels.
  • Focus on studies defining molecular structure.
  • Analysis of research on physiological roles and ligand interactions.

Main Results:

  • TRP channels, including TRP vanilloid (TRPV) channels, are central to Ca2+ regulation.
  • Intracellular ligands are key regulators of TRP channel function.
  • Understanding is evolving regarding the precise molecular mechanisms and physiological roles.

Conclusions:

  • TRP channels are essential for cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, especially in cells lacking voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.
  • Further research is refining our knowledge of TRP channel structure-function relationships.
  • Intracellular ligand interactions are critical for TRP channel activity and represent a key area of ongoing investigation.

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