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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels
Published on: December 13, 2024
TRPA1 channel activation induces cholecystokinin release via extracellular calcium
A K Purhonen1, L M Louhivuori, K Kiehne
1Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract:
TRPA1 channels are non-selective cation channels activated by plant derived pungent products including allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) from mustard. Therefore, possible intestinal secretory functions of these channels were investigated. We detected TRPA1 mRNA in mouse and human duodenal mucosa and in intestinal mouse neuroendocrine STC-1 cells. Stimulation of STC-1 cells with AITC increased intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) and significantly stimulated cholecystokinin secretion by 6.7-fold. AITC induced cholecystokinin release was completely blocked by TRPA1 antagonist ruthenium red and depletion of extracellular calcium and reduced by 36% by nimodipine and nifedipine. This suggests that spices in our daily food might stimulate digestive functions.
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