Interaction with phosphoinositides confers adaptation onto the TRPV1 pain receptor.

ABSTRACT: Adaptation is a common feature of many sensory systems. But its occurrence to pain sensation has remained elusive. Here we address the problem at the receptor level and show that the capsaicin ion channel TRPV1, which mediates nociception at the peripheral nerve terminals, possesses properties essential to the adaptation of sensory responses. Ca(2+) influx following the channel opening caused a profound shift (approximately 14-fold) of the agonist sensitivity, but did not alter the maximum attainable current. The shift was adequate to render the channel irresponsive to normally saturating concentrations, leaving the notion that the channel became no longer functional after desensitization. By simultaneous patch-clamp recording and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) imaging, it w

SUBMITTER: Yao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3279049 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature