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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, calcium and neurodegenerative diseases

Yu-Feng Xie, John F Macdonald, Michael F Jackson

    International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
    |March 9, 2011
    PubMed

    Insights

    Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels are implicated in cell death pathways. This review explores TRPM2 regulation and its role in calcium dysregulation relevant to neurodegenerative diseases.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • NMDA receptor overactivation and subsequent calcium (Ca2+) dysregulation are linked to excitotoxic cell death in stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.
    • Clinical trials of NMDA receptor antagonists have shown limited success, prompting research into alternative Ca2+ influx pathways.
    • TRPM2 channels, a subtype of TRP channels, are involved in cellular responses to various death-inducing stimuli.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the regulation of TRPM2 channels.
    • To elucidate the interaction between TRPM2 channels and intracellular calcium.
    • To discuss the potential implications of TRPM2 in neurodegenerative diseases.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of recent studies on TRPM2 channel function.
    • Analysis of research on TRPM2 regulation by various stimuli.
    • Examination of studies investigating TRPM2's role in calcium homeostasis.

    Main Results:

    • TRPM2 channels are activated by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, TNF, and amyloid-beta oligomers.
    • TRPM2 plays a role in mediating cell death under specific conditions.
    • The precise molecular mechanisms of TRPM2 involvement require further investigation.

    Conclusions:

    • TRPM2 channels represent a significant pathway for calcium influx.
    • Understanding TRPM2 regulation and calcium interaction is crucial for neurodegenerative disease research.
    • TRPM2 may be a therapeutic target for conditions involving excitotoxicity and cell death.

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