Nature Chemical Biology 2005-07-01

Sensing with TRP channels.

Thomas Voets, Karel Talavera, Grzegorz Owsianik, Bernd Nilius

Index: Nat. Chem. Biol. 1 , 85-92, (2005)

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Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster flies carrying the trp (transient receptor potential) mutation are rapidly blinded by bright light, because of the absence of a Ca2+-permeable ion channel in their photoreceptors. The identification of the trp gene and the search for homologs in yeast, flies, worms, zebrafish and mammals has led to the discovery of a large superfamily of related cation channels, named TRP channels. Activation of TRP channels is highly sensitive to a variety of chemical and physical stimuli, allowing them to function as dedicated biological sensors that are essential in processes such as vision, taste, tactile sensation and hearing.