Clues to understanding cold sensation: thermodynamics and electrophysiological analysis of the cold receptor TRPM8.

ABSTRACT: The cold and menthol receptor, TRPM8, also designated CMR1, is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of excitatory ion channels. TRPM8 is a channel activated by cold temperatures, voltage, and menthol. In this study, we characterize the cold- and voltage-induced activation of TRPM8 channel in an attempt to identify the temperature- and voltage-dependent components involved in channel activation. Under equilibrium conditions, decreasing temperature has two effects. (i) It shifts the normalized conductance vs. voltage curves toward the left, along the voltage axis. This effect indicates that the degree of order is higher when the channel is in the open configuration. (ii) It increases the maximum channel open probability, suggesting that temperature affects both voltage-d

SUBMITTER: Brauchi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC523461 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature