Near-membrane dynamics and capture of TRPM8 channels within transient confinement domains.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The cold and menthol receptor, TRPM8, is a non-selective cation channel expressed in a subset of peripheral neurons that is responsible for neuronal detection of environmental cold stimuli. It was previously shown that members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of ion channels are translocated toward the plasma membrane (PM) in response to agonist stimulation. Because the spatial and temporal dynamics of cold receptor cell-surface residence may determine neuronal activity, we hypothesized that the movement of TRPM8 to and from the PM might be a regulated process. Single particle tracking (SPT) is a useful tool for probing the organization and dynamics of protein constituents in the plasma membrane.

Methodology/principal findings

We used SPT to study

SUBMITTER: Veliz LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2952625 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature