TRPV channel-mediated calcium transients in nociceptor neurons are dispensable for avoidance behaviour.

ABSTRACT: Animals need to sense and react to potentially dangerous environments. TRP ion channels participate in nociception, presumably via Ca(2+) influx, in most animal species. However, the relationship between ion permeation and animals' nocifensive behaviour is unknown. Here we use an invertebrate animal model with relevance for mammalian pain. We analyse the putative selectivity filter of OSM-9, a TRPV channel, in osmotic avoidance behaviour of Caenorhabditis elegans. Using mutagenized OSM-9 expressed in the head nociceptor neuron, ASH, we study nocifensive behaviour and Ca(2+) influx. Within the selectivity filter, M(601)-F(609), Y604G strongly reduces avoidance behaviour and eliminates Ca(2+) transients. Y604F also abolishes Ca(2+) transients in ASH, while sustaining avoidance behaviour, yet

SUBMITTER: Lindy AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4164786 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature