Vanilloid and TRP channels: a family of lipid-gated cation channels

• Published in: Neuropharmacology Vol. 42; no. 7; pp. 873 - 888
• Main Authors: Benham, C.D, Davis, J.B, Randall, A.D
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium Channels - genetics; Calcium Channels - physiology; Cell membranes. Ionic channels. Membrane pores; Cell structures and functions; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Ion Channel Gating - physiology; Lipids - physiology; Molecular and cellular biology; Receptors, Drug - genetics; Receptors, Drug - physiology; Transcription, Genetic; TRPC Cation Channels; Transgenic animal; Homeostasis; Molecular interaction; Ionic channel; Review; Gene expression; In vitro; In vivo; Signal transduction; Calcium ion; Structure activity relation; Animal; Vanilloid receptor; Mechanism of action; Osmotic pressure
• ISSN: 0028-3908; 1873-7064
• DOI: 10.1016/S0028-3908(02)00047-3

The emergence of the TRP (C) and vanilloid (TRPV) receptor family of Ca 2+ permeable channels has started to provide molecular focus to a linked group of ion channels whose common feature is activation primarily by intracellular ligands. These channels have a central role in Ca 2+ homeostasis in virtually all cells and in particular those that lack voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels. We will discuss recent work that is more precisely defining both molecular form and physiological function of this important group of Ca 2+ permeable channels with particular focus on the intracellular ligands that gate and modulate channel activity.