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Published on: March 17, 2015
Methodological considerations to understand the sensory function of TRP channels
Víctor M Meseguer1, Bristol L Denlinger, Karel Talavera
1Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
Abstract:
Transient Receptor Potential channels are exquisite molecular transducers of multiple physical and chemical stimuli, hence the raising interest to study their relevance to Sensory Biology. Here we discuss a number of aspects of the biophysical and pharmacological properties of TRP channels, which we consider essential for a clear understanding of their sensory function in vivo. By examining concrete examples extracted from recent literature we illustrate that TRP channel research is a field in motion, and that many established dogmas on biophysical properties, drug specificity and physiological role are continuously reshaped, and sometimes even dismantled.
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