title: DEG/ENaC ion channels involved in sensory transduction are modulated by cold temperature.
abstract: Several DEG/ENaC cation channel subunits are expressed in the tongue and in cutaneous sensory neurons, where they are postulated to function as receptors for salt and sour taste and for touch. Because these tissues are exposed to large temperature variations, we examined how temperature affects DEG/ENaC channel function. We found that cold temperature markedly increased the constitutively active Na(+) currents generated by epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC). Half-maximal stimulation occurred at 25 degrees C. Cold temperature did not induce current from other DEG/ENaC family members (BNC1, ASIC, and DRASIC). However, when these channels were activated by acid, cold temperature potentiated the currents by slowing the rate of desensitization. Potentiation was abolished by a "Deg" mutation that alters channel gating. Temperature changes in the physiologic range had prominent effects on current in cells heterologously expressing acid-gated DEG/ENaC channels, as well as in dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. The finding that cold temperature modulates DEG/ENaC channel function may provide a molecular explanation for the widely recognized ability of temperature to modify taste sensation and mechanosensation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Askwith
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003080:Cold Temperature; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D004594:Electrophysiology; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology; D006372:Helix, Snails; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D011522:Protons; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: C568424:ASIC2 protein, human; C112231:ASIC3 protein, human; D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; C097095:FaNaCh protein, Helix aspersa; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011522:Protons; D015222:Sodium Channels