TRPV4 plays an evolutionary conserved role in the transduction of osmotic and mechanical stimuli in live animals.
The TRPV4 ion channel, previously named vanilloid receptor-related osmotically activated channel (VR-OAC), functions in vivo in the transduction of osmotic and mechanical stimuli. In trpv4 null mice, TRPV4 was found to be necessary for the maintenance of systemic osmotic equilibrium, and for normal thresholds in response to noxious mechanical stimuli. In a Caenorhabditis elegans TRPV mutant transgenic for mammalian TRPV4, the mammalian transgene was directing the osmotic and mechanical avoidance response in the context of the ASH 'nociceptive' neurone. Molecular mechanisms of gating of TRPV4 in vivo are not known at this point and have to be determined.
Liedtke
Wolfgang
W
Center for Translational Neuroscience, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710, USA. wolfgang@neuro.duke.edu
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C486576:Trpv4 protein, mouse