Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Expression and Purification of the Human Lipid-sensitive Cation Channel TRPC3 for Structural Determination by Single-particle Cryo-electron Microscopy
08:27

Expression and Purification of the Human Lipid-sensitive Cation Channel TRPC3 for Structural Determination by Single-particle Cryo-electron Microscopy

Published on: January 7, 2019

TRPM2: a multifunctional ion channel for calcium signalling

Adriana Sumoza-Toledo1, Reinhold Penner

  • 1Center for Biomedical Research, The Queen's Medical Center, University of Hawaii, 1301 Punchbowl Street - UHT 8, HI 96813, USA.

The Journal of Physiology
|December 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Transient potential receptor melastatin-2 (TRPM2) channels are key calcium (Ca2+) signaling mechanisms involved in various cellular functions. Their role in reactive oxygen species (ROS) response makes TRPM2 a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Ion channel research
  • Cellular signaling
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Transient potential receptor melastatin-2 (TRPM2) is a calcium (Ca2+)-permeable cation channel.
  • TRPM2 plays a role in cellular functions like cytokine production, insulin release, cell motility, and cell death.
  • Its sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS) implicates it in oxidative stress-related pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the signaling mechanisms and regulatory factors of the TRPM2 channel.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of TRPM2 for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of TRPM2 channel structure and function.
  • Investigation of TRPM2 activation by adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR).
  • Examination of TRPM2 regulation by intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), cyclic ADPR, H2O2, NAADP, AMP, and protons (pH).

Main Results:

  • TRPM2 is activated by intracellular ADPR via its C-terminal diphosphoribose hydrolase domain.
  • TRPM2 activity is modulated by synergistic factors like [Ca2+]i, cyclic ADPR, H2O2, and NAADP.
  • Negative feedback regulation occurs through AMP and permeating protons.
  • TRPM2 functions in both Ca2+ influx and lysosomal Ca2+ release, contributing to cell death.

Conclusions:

  • TRPM2 is a crucial Ca2+ signaling channel with diverse cellular roles.
  • Its involvement in ROS-mediated events positions TRPM2 as a significant therapeutic target for oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

More Related Videos

Cell-based Calcium Assay for Medium to High Throughput Screening of TRP Channel Functions using FlexStation 307:26

Cell-based Calcium Assay for Medium to High Throughput Screening of TRP Channel Functions using FlexStation 3

Published on: August 17, 2011

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels07:17

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels

Published on: December 13, 2024

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...
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling01:16

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
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...
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...
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration01:27

Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration

Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.