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Related Concept Videos

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4
12:09

Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4

Published on: December 31, 2013

TRPV1 is activated by both acidic and basic pH.

Ajay Dhaka1, Valerie Uzzell, Adrienne E Dubin

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|January 9, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ammonia activates pain receptors TRPV1 and TRPA1. TRPV1 detects both acidic and alkaline pH deviations through a unique histidine mechanism, crucial for sensing environmental pH changes.

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A Simple and Inexpensive Method for Determining Cold Sensitivity and Adaptation in Mice
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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4
12:09

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Published on: December 31, 2013

A Simple and Inexpensive Method for Determining Cold Sensitivity and Adaptation in Mice
08:35

A Simple and Inexpensive Method for Determining Cold Sensitivity and Adaptation in Mice

Published on: March 17, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory Biology
  • Molecular Physiology

Background:

  • Physiological pH homeostasis is vital for survival.
  • Alkaline chemicals like ammonia cause pain and inflammation via unknown pathways.
  • TRPV1 (capsaicin receptor) senses heat and acidic pH.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which ammonia triggers pain and inflammation.
  • To investigate the role of sensory neuron receptors in detecting alkaline stimuli.
  • To determine if TRPV1 can detect alkaline conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings from sensory neurons.
  • Application of ammonia and investigation of receptor activation.
  • Mutagenesis studies targeting specific residues in TRPV1.

Main Results:

  • Ammonia activates TRPV1, TRPA1, and other unidentified receptors in sensory neurons.
  • Ammonia and intracellular alkalization activate TRPV1 via a cytoplasmic histidine residue.
  • This histidine-dependent mechanism differs from activation by heat, capsaicin, or low pH.

Conclusions:

  • TRPV1 acts as a pH sensor, detecting both acidic and alkaline deviations from physiological pH.
  • Sensory neurons utilize TRPV1 to detect harmful alkaline chemicals like ammonia.
  • This finding expands our understanding of pain signaling and pH sensation.