Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A Simple and Inexpensive Method for Determining Cold Sensitivity and Adaptation in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2015
TRP-independent inhibition of the phospholipase C pathway by natural sensory ligands
Kyung Yoon Kim1, Sangsu Bang, Shanshu Han
1Korea University Graduate School of Medicine, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Menthol, cinnamaldehyde, and camphor are activators for temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential ion channels (thermoTRPs). Here we found that these three compounds inhibit the phospholipase C (PLC) signaling. P2Y purinoceptor-mediated or histamine receptor-mediated cytosolic calcium mobilization through the PLC pathway was significantly suppressed by menthol, cinnamaldehyde, and camphor. Experiments using a fluorescent pleckstrin homology domain of PLCdelta1 and IP1 accumulation assays demonstrated that direct inhibition of PLC activity occurred upon the addition of the sensory compounds. P2Y receptor-mediated PLC activation is part of the mechanism of platelet aggregation. The three compounds inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Calcium influx studies showed that thermoTRPs do not function in platelets, suggesting that the anti-aggregation effect is independent of thermoTRP activity. These results suggest that menthol, cinnamaldehyde, and camphor are able to modify PLC signaling and that those effects may lead to changes in cellular functions. This study also identifies new types of compounds that could potentially modulate platelet-related pathological events.
Related Concept Videos
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
GPCR Desensitization
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
What are Second Messengers?
