Hot flash: TRPV channels in the brain

TRPV1 (transient receptor potential, vanilloid) channels belong to a family of ligand-gated ion channels gated not only by the binding of certain lipophilic molecules but also by extracellular protons and physical stimuli such as heat or osmotic pressure changes. These nonselective cation channels are permeable to Na(+) and K(+) and are also very Ca(2+) permeable; in fact, TRPV1 is as Ca(2+) permeable as the NMDA receptor channel and can, thus, act as a trigger for Ca(2+)-mediated cell signaling. Although these channels are highly expressed in primary sensory afferents, accumulating evidence indicates that TRPV family channels are also present in the brain. Here, we review evidence that TRPV channels in the central nervous system might contribute to many basic neuronal functions including resting membrane potential, neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity.