Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation
06:12

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation

Published on: May 3, 2024

The role of TRPM channels in cell death

S McNulty1, E Fonfria

  • 1Neurology and GI CEDD, GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development Limited, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, CM19 5AW, UK. shaun.2.mcnulty@gsk.com

Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|July 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Transient receptor potential melastatin-like (TRPM) channels, particularly TRPM2 and TRPM7, are key players in cell death pathways. Understanding and modulating these channels may offer therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to oxidative stress.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, specifically the melastatin-like family (TRPM), are involved in cellular responses to stimuli.
  • Certain TRPM channels, TRPM2 and TRPM7, are directly implicated in cell death mechanisms.
  • TRPM2 detects oxidative stress, while TRPM7 is crucial for cell viability and implicated in stress-induced neuronal death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for TRPM channel involvement in cell death processes.
  • To discuss the mechanisms of TRPM channel activation and function.
  • To evaluate methods for modulating TRPM channel activity and explore their therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on TRPM channels and cell death.
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying TRPM channel activation.
  • Evaluation of current strategies for TRPM channel modulation.

Main Results:

  • TRPM2 and TRPM7 channels are central to oxidative stress-induced cell death pathways.
  • Mechanisms of TRPM channel activation in response to cellular stress are elucidated.
  • Current approaches to attenuate TRPM channel expression and function are assessed.

Conclusions:

  • TRPM channels, especially TRPM2 and TRPM7, are critical mediators of cell death.
  • Modulation of TRPM channel activity presents a potential therapeutic avenue.
  • TRPM channels may serve as therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, which involve oxidative stress.

More Related Videos

Sex Stratified Neuronal Cultures to Study Ischemic Cell Death Pathways10:44

Sex Stratified Neuronal Cultures to Study Ischemic Cell Death Pathways

Published on: December 9, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
Thermosensation01:43

Thermosensation

Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...