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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Body Temperature01:25

Body Temperature

The body's temperature, measured in degrees, is determined by the balance between heat production and dissipation to the surrounding environment. For instance, if exercising vigorously, the body will produce more heat, causing sweat and dissipating that heat. Despite extreme environmental conditions and physical exertion, the human temperature-control system maintains a constant core body temperature (the temperature of deep tissues, which are the tissues located beneath the skin and other...
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 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

Hot flash: TRPV channels in the brain.

Julie A Kauer1, Helen E Gibson

  • 1Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Providence, RI 02912, USA. julie_kauer@brown.edu

Trends in Neurosciences
|March 17, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels, known for sensing heat and protons, are also found in the brain. These channels play roles in fundamental neuronal functions like synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release.

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Controllable Ion Channel Expression through Inducible Transient Transfection
10:00

Controllable Ion Channel Expression through Inducible Transient Transfection

Published on: February 17, 2017

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 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

Controllable Ion Channel Expression through Inducible Transient Transfection
10:00

Controllable Ion Channel Expression through Inducible Transient Transfection

Published on: February 17, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Ion Channel Physiology

Background:

  • Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels are ligand-gated ion channels activated by diverse stimuli including heat, protons, and lipophilic molecules.
  • These channels are highly permeable to cations like Na+, K+, and Ca2+, with Ca2+ permeability comparable to NMDA receptors, enabling Ca2+-mediated cell signaling.
  • While predominantly expressed in sensory neurons, TRPV channels are increasingly recognized in the central nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging evidence for TRPV channel presence and function within the brain.
  • To explore the potential roles of TRPV channels in fundamental neuronal processes in the central nervous system.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating TRPV channel expression and function in the central nervous system.
  • Analysis of existing research on the molecular and physiological properties of TRPV channels.

Main Results:

  • TRPV channels are expressed in various brain regions and neuronal populations.
  • Evidence suggests TRPV channels contribute to regulating resting membrane potential.
  • TRPV channels are implicated in modulating neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • TRPV channels are not limited to sensory pathways and have significant roles in the central nervous system.
  • TRPV channels in the brain may be crucial for basic neuronal functions, offering potential therapeutic targets.