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A Simple and Inexpensive Method for Determining Cold Sensitivity and Adaptation in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2015
TRPM8 is required for cold sensation in mice
Ajay Dhaka1, Amber N Murray, Jayanti Mathur
1Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Neuron
|May 8, 2007
Summary
Mice lacking the TRPM8 channel show significant deficits in sensing cold temperatures and avoiding cold stimuli. TRPM8 also plays a role in cold-induced pain relief.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- ThermoTRPs, a subset of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) cation channels, are involved in temperature sensation.
- TRPM8 and TRPA1 channels are activated by cooling, but their necessity for in vivo thermosensation remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo role of TRPM8 in cold thermosensation and analgesia.
- To determine if TRPM8 is required for behavioral responses to cold stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Utilized TRPM8-deficient mice in thermotaxis and two-temperature choice assays.
- Assessed behavioral responses to cold stimuli like icilin and acetone.
- Evaluated nociceptive responses to subzero temperatures and formalin injection.
Main Results:
- TRPM8-deficient mice exhibited severe deficits in avoiding cold temperatures.
- These mice lacked behavioral responses to icilin and showed attenuated responses to acetone.
- TRPM8 deficiency did not affect responses to noxious subzero temperatures, indicating other cold receptors exist.
- TRPM8 was found to mediate the analgesic effect of moderate cooling after formalin injection.
Conclusions:
- TRPM8 is crucial for sensing unpleasant cold stimuli and avoiding cold environments in vivo.
- TRPM8 contributes to cold analgesia, demonstrating context-dependent roles in thermosensation.
