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Review
. 2015:131:73-118.
doi: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.01.002. Epub 2015 Feb 12.

Sensory TRP channels: the key transducers of nociception and pain

Aaron D Mickle  1 , Andrew J Shepherd  1 , Durga P Mohapatra  2
Affiliations
Review

Sensory TRP channels: the key transducers of nociception and pain

Aaron D Mickle et al. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2015.

Abstract

Peripheral detection of nociceptive and painful stimuli by sensory neurons involves a complex repertoire of molecular detectors and/or transducers on distinct subsets of nerve fibers. The majority of such molecular detectors/transducers belong to the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of cation channels, which comprise both specific receptors for distinct nociceptive stimuli, as well as for multiple stimuli. This chapter discusses the classification, distribution, and functional properties of individual TRP channel types that have been implicated in various nociceptive and/or painful conditions.

Keywords: Nociception; Pain; TRP channel; TRPA1; TRPM3; TRPM8; TRPV1; TRPV2; TRPV3; TRPV4.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Classification of thermosensing nociceptive TRP channels in mammalian sensory neurons. The upper row of individual boxes denotes chemical/mechanical activators of marked TRP channels. The lower panel depicts the magnitude of channel activity upon activation by temperature of the independent TRP channels shown.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structural features of functional TRP channels. (A) Model of predicted secondary structure topology of a monomeric TRP channel subunit (called α-subunits) on a plasma membrane lipid bilayer. S1–S6 denote transmembrane segments/domains 1 through 6, with a hydrophilic pore loop between S5 and S6 transmembrane segments, and N and C denote cytoplasmic amino- and carboxy-terminals, respectively. Four monomeric α-subunits assemble in a three-dimensional arrangement to make a functional channel, which is shown on the right. The structure was constructed from the PDB structure file obtained from the protein data bank, originally submitted by Refs. , from their cryoelectron microscopic structure of TRPV1. (B) List of homo- and heterotetrameric TRP channels formed within individual TRP subfamily member channels, as well as in combination of inter-subfamily TRP channel members.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Structural–functional features of cytoplasmic regions in TRP channels from individual subfamilies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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