title: Gain-of-function mutations in the transient receptor potential channels TRPV1 and TRPA1: how painful?
abstract: Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in ion channels are rare events, which lead to increased agonist sensitivity or altered gating properties, and may render the channel constitutively active. Uncovering and following characterization of such mutants contribute substantially to the understanding of the molecular basis of ion channel functioning. Here we give an overview of some GOF mutants in polymodal ion channels specifically involved in transduction of painful stimuli--TRPV1 and TRPA1, which are scrutinized by scientists due to their important role in development of some pathological pain states. Remarkably, a substitution of single amino acid in the S4-S5 region of TRPA1 (N855S) has been recently associated with familial episodic pain syndrome. This mutation increases chemical sensitivity of TRPA1, but leaves the voltage sensitivity unchanged. On the other hand, mutations in the analogous region of TRPV1 (R557K and G563S) severely affect all aspects of channel activation and lead to spontaneous activity. Comparison of the effects induced by mutations in homologous positions in different TRP receptors (or more generally in other distantly related ion channels) may elucidate the gating mechanisms conserved during evolution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic. vlachova@biomed.cas.cz.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boukalova
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Touska
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsakova
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hynkova
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chvojka
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dittert
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vlachova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058748:Pain Perception; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; C473350:TRPA1 protein, human; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C494482:TRPV1 protein, human; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels