TRP Ion Channels Research Articles

A Gateway MultiSite Recombination Cloning Toolkit

The generation of DNA constructs is often a rate-limiting step in conducting biological experiments. Recombination cloning of single DNA fragments using the Gateway system provided an advance over traditional restriction enzyme cloning due to increases in efficiency and reliability. Here we introduce a series of entry clones and a destination vector for use in two, three, and four fragment Gateway MultiSite recombination cloning whose advantages include increased flexibility and versatility. In contrast to Gateway single-fragment cloning approaches where variations are typically incorporated into model system-specific destination vectors, our Gateway MultiSite cloning strategy incorporates variations in easily generated entry clones that are model system-independent. In particular, we present entry clones containing insertions of GAL4, QF, UAS, QUAS, eGFP, and mCherry, among others, and demonstrate their in vivo functionality in Drosophila by using them to generate expression clones including GAL4 and QF drivers for various trp ion channel family members, UAS and QUAS excitatory and inhibitory light-gated ion channels, and QUAS red and green fluorescent synaptic vesicle markers. We thus establish a starter toolkit of modular Gateway MultiSite entry clones potentially adaptable to any model system. An inventory of entry clones and destination vectors for Gateway MultiSite cloning has also been established (www.gatewaymultisite.org).

TRPV1 and TRPA1 stimulation induces MUC5B secretion in the human nasal airway in vivo

Nasal transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) stimulation with capsaicin produces serous and mucinous secretion in the human nasal airway. The primary aim of this study was to examine topical effects of various TRP ion channel agonists on symptoms and secretion of specific mucins: mucin 5 subtype AC (MUC5AC) and B (MUC5B). Healthy individuals were subjected to nasal challenges with TRPV1 agonists (capsaicin, olvanil and anandamide), TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) agonists (cinnamaldehyde and mustard oil) and a TRP melastatin 8 (TRPM8) agonist (menthol). Symptoms were monitored, and nasal lavages were analysed for MUC5AC and MUC5B, i.e. specific mucins associated with airway diseases. In separate groups of healthy subjects, nasal biopsies and brush samples were analysed for TRPV1 and MUC5B, using immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR. Finally, calcium responses and ciliary beat frequency were measured on isolated ciliated epithelial cells. All TRP agonists induced nasal pain or smart. Capsaicin, olvanil and mustard oil also produced rhinorrhea. Lavage fluids obtained after challenge with capsaicin and mustard oil indicated increased levels of MUC5B, whereas MUC5AC was unaffected. MUC5B and TRPV1 immunoreactivities were primarily localized to submucosal glands and peptidergic nerve fibres, respectively. Although trpv1 transcripts were detected in nasal brush samples, functional responses to capsaicin could not be induced in isolated ciliated epithelial cells. Agonists of TRPV1 and TRPA1 induced MUC5B release in the human nasal airways in vivo. These findings may be of relevance with regard to the regulation of mucin production under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 in the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax: A candidate protein for osmosensing

The Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) protein is a member of the TRP ion channels superfamily that has been proposed as a potential fish osmosensor in previous studies. TRPV4 has been widely studied in mammals, particularly for its involvement in sensing the hypotonicity. The European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, is a euryhaline teleost that is exposed to salinity changes due to its migrations between the sea and estuaries/lagoons. TRPV4 expression and localization in D. labrax was studied in seawater (SW)-adapted fish and in fish exposed to freshwater (FW) over different time-courses from 10 min to 30 days. TRPV4 mRNA expression was detected in gills, kidney and brain. In gills, the expression increased significantly in FW from 24 h to 30 d. In contrast, in the kidney, the TRPV4 expression decreased from 10 min to 7 d of exposure to FW and then it increased at 30 d. In the brain, its expression was relatively low in SW compared to other organs and a significant decrease occurred in FW. The TRPV4 protein was localized in the basement membranes in branchial lamellae, the cartilage of gills, the posterior pituitary gland and in the collecting ducts. Possible roles of TRPV4 are discussed.

TRPV1-lineage neurons are essential for thermal sensation

There is much evidence that TRP-ion channels are the molecular detectors of temperature and their activation is responsible for detection of thermal stimuli by peripheral sensory neurons. In particular TRPV1 has been proposed to be the principle sensor of noxious heat. However, TRPV1 knockout mice have only a modest phenotypic loss of responses to heat. We used a molecular genetic approach to label and eliminate neurons that express TRPV1 to understand the cellular basis of thermal sensation. Transgenic mice that express fluorescent marker in cells that express TRPV1 showed a restricted pattern of expression of the TRPV1 ion-channel and revealed that it is expressed more broadly during development.

Phosphorylation of Annexin A1 by TRPM7 Kinase: A Switch Regulating the Induction of an α-Helix

TRPM7 is an unusual bifunctional protein consisting of an α-kinase domain fused to a TRP ion channel. Previously, we have identified annexin A1 as a substrate for TRPM7 kinase and found that TRPM7 phosphorylates annexin A1 at Ser5 within the N-terminal α-helix. Annexin A1 is a Ca2+-dependent membrane binding protein, which has been implicated in membrane trafficking and reorganization. The N-terminal tail of annexin A1 can interact with either membranes or S100A11 protein, and it adopts the conformation of an amphipathic α-helix upon these interactions. Moreover, the existing evidence indicates that the formation of an α-helix is essential for these interactions. Here we show that phosphorylation at Ser5 prevents the N-terminal peptide of annexin A1 from adopting an α-helical conformation in the presence of membrane-mimetic micelles as well as phospholipid vesicles. We also show that phosphorylation at Ser5 dramatically weakens the binding of the peptide to S100A11. Our data suggest that phosphorylation at Ser5 regulates the interaction of annexin A1 with membranes as well as S100A11 protein.

Activation of TRP Channels by Phosphoinositide Depletion and Protons in Drosophila Photoreceptors

Phototransduction in Drosophila microvillar photoreceptors is mediated via a G-protein coupled phospholipase C (PLCβ4 encoded by the norpA gene), resulting in the activation of two classes of Ca2+ and cation permeable channels, TRP and TRPL. Representative of the TRPC subfamily, these are the founding members of the TRP ion channel superfamily, but exactly how the channels are activated is unresolved. PLC's obvious action is to hydrolyze PIP2 generating DAG and InsP3 whilst simultaneously reducing PIP2, the concentration of which can be accurately controlled using genetically encoded PIP2 biosensors to monitor levels. The fact that hydrolysis of PIP2 by PLC also releases a proton is seldom recognized and has neither been measured in vivo, nor implicated previously in a signaling context. We have now shown that light induces a rapid (< 10 ms) acidification originating in the microvilli which is eliminated in norpA mutants lacking PLC. Furthermore, following depletion of PIP2 and other phosphoinositides by a variety of experimental manipulations, both TRP and TRPL channels become remarkably sensitive to rapid and reversible activation by lipophilic protonophores such as 2-4 dinitrophenol, whilst heterologously expressed TRPL channels can be directly activated by acidification of the cytosolic surface of inside-out patches. These results indicate that a combination of phosphoinositide depletion and cytosolic acidification is sufficient to activate the light-sensitive channels. Together with the demonstration of light-induced, PLC dependent acidification, this suggests that TRPC channels in Drosophila photoreceptors may be activated in a combinatorial fashion by PLC's dual action of phosphoinositide depletion and proton release.

Effect of sphingomyelinase on TRP ion channel activation of trigeminal sensory neurons and transfected cell line

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TRPM4 enhances cell proliferation through up‐regulation of the β‐catenin signaling pathway

Altered expression of some members of the TRP ion channel superfamily has been associated with the development of pathologies like cancer. In particular, TRPM4 levels are reportedly elevated in diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, prostate, and cervical cancer. However, whether such changes in TRPM4 expression may be relevant to genesis or progression of cancer remains unknown. Here we show that reducing TRPM4 expression decreases proliferation of HeLa cells, a cervical cancer-derived cell line. In this cell line, constitutive TRPM4 silencing promoted GSK-3β-dependent degradation of β-catenin and reduced β-catenin/Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription. Conversely, overexpression of TRPM4 in T-REx 293 cells (a HEK293-derived cell line) increased cell proliferation and β-catenin levels. Our results identify TRPM4 as an important, unanticipated regulator of the β-catenin pathway, where aberrant signaling is frequently associated with cancer.

The Seventh Annual Ion Channel Retreat Vancouver, Canada, June 29–July 1, 2009

Seven years ago, Aurora Biomed Inc. (Vancouver, BC) recognized the need to create a forum for scientific discourse spanning the spectrum of ion channel disciplines. Since then, researchers from both academia and industry have been invited each year to share their knowledge on the advancement of ion channel research and technology, drug discovery, and safety pharmacology. Aurora Biomed's 2009 Retreat continued this tradition by covering a variety of topics including Ion Channels as Disease and Pain Targets, TRP Ion Channels, Ion Channel Screening Technologies, Ion Channels in Safety Pharmacology, Structure & Function of Ion Channels, Ion Channels in Disease Pathology, and New Horizons in Life Sciences.

Activation of the TRPV4 Ion Channel Is Enhanced by Phosphorylation

The TRPV4 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 4) ion channel, a member of the vanilloid subfamily of the transient receptor potential channels, is activated by membrane stretch, by non-noxious warm temperatures, and by a range of chemical activators. In the present study we examined the role of phosphorylation in modulating the activation of TRPV4. We expressed TRPV4 in HEK293 cells and activated the channel by cell swelling in a hypotonic solution. TRPV4 channel activation and serine phosphorylation were enhanced by exposure to the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or by application of bradykinin, which activates PKC via a G-protein-coupled mechanism. The enhancement was inhibited by the PKC inhibitors staurosporine, bisindolylmaleimide I, and rottlerin or by mutation of the serine/threonine residues Ser(162), Thr(175), and Ser(189). The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin also enhanced activation of TRPV4, and the enhancement was antagonized by the selective cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor H89 or by mutation of serine residue Ser(824). Sensitization of TRPV4 by both PKC and PKA depended on the scaffolding protein AKAP79, because channel activation and phosphorylation were enhanced by co-transfection of AKAP79 and were antagonized by removal of AKAP79 using small interfering RNA. We conclude that the serine/threonine kinases PKC and PKA enhance activation of the TRPV4 ion channel by phosphorylation at specific sites and that phosphorylation depends on assembly of PKC and PKA by AKAP79 into a signaling complex with TRPV4.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, vanilloid 2 and melastatin 8 immunoreactive nerve fibers in human skin from individuals with and without Norrbottnian congenital insensitivity to pain

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) and melastatin 8 (TRPM8) are thermosensitive cation channels expressed on primary sensory neurons. In contrast to TRPV1, which is present on nociceptive primary afferents and keratinocytes in human skin, less is known about the distribution of TRPV2 and TRPM8 in this tissue. Immunohistochemistry of human forearm skin identified TRPV2 and TRPM8 immunoreactive nerve fibers in epidermis–papillary dermis and around blood vessels and hair follicles in dermis, although these nerve fibers were less abundant than TRPV1 immunoreactive nerve fibers throughout the skin. The TRPV2 and TRPM8 immunoreactive nerve fibers also showed immunoreactivity for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and to a lesser extent substance P (SP). Neither of the TRP ion channels co-localized with neurofilament 200 kDa (NF200), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Nerve fibers immunoreactive for TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPM8, CGRP and SP were absent or substantially reduced in number in individuals with Norrbottnian congenital insensitivity to pain, an autosomal disease selectively affecting the development of C-fiber and Aδ-fiber primary afferents. Quantitative real time PCR detected mRNA transcripts encoding TRPV1 and TRPV2, but not TRPM8, in skin from healthy volunteers, suggesting that these ion channels are also expressed extraneuronally. In conclusion, nerve fibers in human skin express TRPV1, TRPV2 and TRPM8 that co-localize with the sensory neuropeptides CGRP and SP, but not with NF200, VIP or TH. A dramatic loss of such nerve fibers was seen in skin from individuals with Norrbottnian congenital insensitivity to pain, further suggesting that these ion channels are expressed primarily on nociceptive primary sensory neurons in human skin.

Ice Water Testing Reveals Hypersensitivity in Adult Rats That Experienced Neonatal Bladder Inflammation: Implications for Painful Bladder Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis

We determined whether clinical observations of hypersensitivity to ice water testing, that is infusion of ice-cold saline into the bladder, in patients with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis have a parallel in a rat model of bladder hypersensitivity produced by neonatal inflammation. Rat pups were anesthetized as neonates (postnatal days 14 to 16). In some pups the bladder was inflamed by intravesical zymosan treatment. As adults, the rats were re-anesthetized and tested for abdominal muscle contractions to ice water testing, measured on electromyogram. Various neonatally treated groups of rats underwent bladder re-inflammation/no re-inflammation and/or bladder distention before ice water testing. Other control rats were treated only in adulthood. Rats that underwent bladder inflammation as neonates manifested bladder hypersensitivity in adulthood, as indexed by significantly greater mean electromyogram responses during ice water testing. This bladder hypersensitivity did not require adult re-inflammation to manifest. Hypersensitivity was also observed with or without prior bladder distention, although the magnitude of electromyogram responses during ice water testing significantly correlated with the magnitude of electromyogram responses to bladder distention. Neonatally induced effects were not significantly related to estrous cycle phase. Exposure to menthol did not significantly enhance the overall magnitude of the electromyogram response to ice water testing in neonatally treated rats. Current results parallel those in a recent study showing that most patients with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis experience pain when undergoing ice water testing after previous urodynamic testing. These findings suggest that this animal model may be useful for understanding the etiology of and treatment for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Rapid Temperature Jump by Infrared Diode Laser Irradiation for Patch-Clamp Studies

Several thermal TRP ion channels have recently been identified. These channels are directly gated by temperature, but the mechanisms have remained elusive. Studies of their temperature gating have been impeded by lack of methods for rapid alteration of temperature in live cells. As a result, only measurements of steady-state properties have been possible. To solve the problem, we have developed an optical approach that uses recently available infrared diode lasers as heat sources. By restricting laser irradiation around a single cell, our approach can produce constant temperature jumps over 50°C in submilliseconds. Experiments with several heat-gated ion channels (TRPV1–3) show its applicability for rapid temperature perturbation in both single cells and membrane patches. Compared with other laser heating approaches such as those by Raman-shifting of the Nd:YAG fundamentals, our approach has the advantage of being cost effective and applicable to live cells while providing an adequate resolution for time-resolved detection of channel activation.

TRPV1‐mediated itch in seasonal allergic rhinitis

Patients with allergic rhinitis may be abnormally sensitive to stimulation of the ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1). To examine effects of various TRP ion channel activators on sensory symptoms in allergic rhinitis prior to and during seasonal allergen exposure. Nasal challenges were carried out with the TRPV1-activators capsaicin, anandamide and olvanil. Moreover, challenges were performed with mustard oil (allylisothiocyanate) and cinnamaldehyde as well as menthol, activators of TRPA1 and TRPM8, respectively. Nasal symptoms were monitored after each challenge and compared with symptoms reported following corresponding sham challenges. Symptoms recorded after challenge prior to pollen season were also compared with challenge-induced symptoms during pollen season. The TRPV1, TRPA1 and TRPM8-activators produced sensory symptoms dominated by pain and smart. During seasonal allergen exposure, but not prior to season, TRPV1-activators also induced itch. Furthermore, the seasonal challenge to the TRPV1-activator olvanil was associated with rhinorrhoea. Patients with allergic rhinitis feature an increased itch response to TRPV1 stimulation at seasonal allergen exposure. We suggest that this reflects part of the hyperresponsiveness that characterizes on-going allergic rhinitis. Intervention with the TRPV1-signalling pathway may offer potential treatments of this condition.

Rapid Temperature Jump by Low Cost Laser Diode Irradiation

Thermal TRP ion channels play important functions in somatosensation and pain. Aside from activation by agonist or voltage, they are directly gated by temperature, a novel property unique to these channels. However, the underlying mechanism of the abnormally high thermal sensitivity has remained elusive. Studies on thermal activation of these channels have been challenging, partly because of the difficulty for rapid alteration of ambient temperature in live cells. Existing approaches mostly employ resistive or thermal electric heating/cooling, and have a response time far slower than channel activation. As a result, they only allow for measurement of steady-state properties of the channel. We report here an alternative approach for rapid perturbation of temperature. The approach employs an infra-red laser diode as a heat source, and by restricting laser irradiation around a single cell, it can produce constant temperature jumps over 50oC in sub-milliseconds. Experiments with several heat-gated channels (TRPV1-3) demonstrate its applicability as a general tool for local temperature stimulation of single cells. Compared to other laser heating approaches such as those based on Raman-shifting of the Nd:YAG fundamentals, it is more cost-effective while providing adequate resolution for detection of ion channel kinetics.

Breathtaking TRP Channels: TRPA1 and TRPV1 in Airway Chemosensation and Reflex Control

New studies have revealed an essential role for TRPA1, a sensory neuronal TRP ion channel, in airway chemosensation and inflammation. TRPA1 is activated by chlorine, reactive oxygen species, and noxious constituents of smoke and smog, initiating irritation and airway reflex responses. Together with TRPV1, the capsaicin receptor, TRPA1 may contribute to chemical hypersensitivity, chronic cough, and airway inflammation in asthma, COPD, and reactive airway dysfunction syndrome.

Expression of ion channels of the TRP family in articular chondrocytes from osteoarthritic patients: changes between native and in vitro propagated chondrocytes

The maintenance of a differentiated chondrocyte phenotype is influenced by several factors of which signal transduction of extracellular stimuli through the cell membrane is of major interest. One important group of membrane-bound proteins which are involved in transmembrane signal transduction are ion channels. Human articular chondrocytes were obtained from osteoarthritic femoral condyles. Cells were released from the surrounding matrix and cultivated under standard conditions. We investigated gene expression of 12 members of the TRP ion channel family of freshly prepared (passage 0; P0) and in vitro propagated human articular chondrocytes (passage 2; P2) using conventional and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). In addition, the protein appearance of four TRP channels was demonstrated by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Chondrocyte differentiation was monitored by quantification of collagen type-II, type-I, and aggrecan gene expression. By conventional PCR, 8 channels could be detected, of which some displayed a heterogeneous PCR pattern. RT-PCR quantification revealed that TRPC1 was expressed on the same level in P0 and P2 chondrocytes while gene expression of TRPC3 and TRPC6 was elevated in passage 2 cells. TRPM5, TRPM7, and TRPV1 displayed an enhanced gene expression in freshly isolated chondrocytes. Immunofluorescence signal intensity of all four investigated TRP proteins was consistent with the corresponding gene expression data. In the present study, a correlation between the appearance of some members of the TRP ion channel family and the state of de-differentiation of osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes was shown. A possible direct involvement in the process of chondrocyte de-differentiation has to be investigated in further studies.

AMTB, a TRPM8 channel blocker: evidence in rats for activity in overactive bladder and painful bladder syndrome

The activation of the TRPM8 channel, a member of the large class of TRP ion channels, has been reported to be involved in overactive bladder and painful bladder syndrome, although an endogenous activator has not been identified. In this study, N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-{[(3-methylphenyl) methyl]oxy}-N-(2-thienylmethyl)benzamide hydrochloride salt (AMTB) was evaluated as a TRPM8 channel blocker and used as a tool to evaluate the effects of this class of ion channel blocker on volume-induced bladder contraction and nociceptive reflex responses to noxious bladder distension in the rat. AMTB inhibits icilin-induced TRPM8 channel activation as measured in a Ca(2+) influx assay, with a pIC(50) of 6.23. In the anesthetized rat, intravenous administration of AMTB (3 mg/kg) decreased the frequency of volume-induced bladder contractions, without reducing the amplitude of contraction. The nociceptive response was measured by analyzing both visceromotor reflex (VMR) and cardiovascular (pressor) responses to urinary bladder distension (UBD) under 1% isoflurane. AMTB (10 mg/kg) significantly attenuated reflex responses to noxious UBD to 5.42 and 56.51% of the maximal VMR response and pressor response, respectively. The ID50 value on VMR response was 2.42 +/- 0.46 mg/kg. These results demonstrate that TRPM8 channel blocker can act on the bladder afferent pathway to attenuate the bladder micturition reflex and nociceptive reflex responses in the rat. Targeting TRPM8 channel may provide a new therapeutic opportunity for overactive bladder and painful bladder syndrome.

The varitint–waddler mouse phenotypes and the TRPML3 ion channel mutation: cause and consequence

The transient receptor potential mucolipins (TRPMLs) are the most recently discovered subfamily of TRP ion channel proteins. Positional cloning approach has identified two mutations in the TRPML3 (Mcoln3) gene that cause the varitint-waddler mouse phenotypes. Short for variable tint (diluted coat color), the varitint-waddler consists two phenotypes Va and Va ( J ). The mutation associated with the Va phenotype is an alanine to proline substitution at position 419 (A419P) within the predicted fifth transmembrane (TM5) domain of TRPML3. The second Va ( J ) mouse phenotype arose spontaneously from an isoleucine to threonine substitution at position 362 (I362T) that is proximal to the predicted TM3 domain in addition to the existing A419P mutation on TM5. Mice with the Va and Va ( J ) mutations exhibit a spectrum of disease phenotypes from diluted coat color to auditory and vestibular problems, depending on which alleles are present. It has been over 5 years since the discovery of these TRPML3 mutations, and it was just recently that the nature of these mutations has been characterized. In this review, we discuss the molecular and cell physiological effects of the two distinct TRPML3 mutations. We reveal the effects of proline substitution on transmembrane domain structure and channel function and discuss how the Va mutation confers its cytotoxicity, while the Va ( J ) mutation results in an apparent rescue phenotype. Finally, we briefly tackle molecular strategies that have been employed to neutralize the cytotoxic effect and constitutive channel activity of the Va mutation.

TRPV1 Gene Required for Thermosensory Transduction and Anticipatory Secretion from Vasopressin Neurons during Hyperthermia

Increases in core body temperature promote thermoregulatory cooling by stimulating sweat production and preemptive renal water reabsorption through the release of vasopressin (VP, antidiuretic hormone). The mechanism by which the hypothalamus orchestrates this anticipatory VP release during hyperthermia is unknown but has been linked to a central thermosensory mechanism. Here, we report that thermal stimuli spanning core body temperatures activate a calcium-permeable, ruthenium red- and SB366791-sensitive nonselective cation conductance in hypothalamic VP neurons. This response is associated with a depolarizing receptor potential and an increase in action potential firing rate, indicating that these neurons are intrinsically thermosensitive. The thermosensitivity of VP neurons isolated from trpv1 knockout (Trpv1(-/-)) mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type counterparts. Moreover, Trpv1(-/-) mice showed an impaired VP response to hyperthermia in vivo. Channels encoded by the trpv1 gene thus confer thermosensitivity in central VP neurons and contribute to the thermal control of VP release in vivo.