The research goal is to understand how transient receptor potential (TRP) channels sense temperature. In this project, the central hypothesis is that unique residues (domains) within the temperature-activated TRP channels enable these proteins to sense changes in temperature and to gate ion cun-ents through the plasma membrane. Specific functional domains of the temperature-activated ion channels TRPM8 and TRPV1 should be found by usage of large-scale random mutant libraries.
Specific aim 1 : screen large mutant libraries of the heat- and cold-activated ion-channels TRPV1 and TRPM8 to find mutations that specifically affect temperature-activation, but not chemical activation.
This aim will test, if domains exist in these channels that are specifically required for temperature-activation.
Specific aim 2 : detailed electrophysiological examination of these mutants to verify screening results and to find out if temperature-mutations uncouple the mechanism of voltage-activation. This might shed light on the question, if voltage-activation underlies the mechanism of temperature-activation, as was previously proposed, but is still questioned.
Specific aim 3 : mutation of identified residues into all other 19 amino-acids to learn what specific molecular interactions are associated with the temperature-deficient phenotype. These experiments could give detailed insight into the molecular mechanism and lead to new, testable theories of the mechanism of temperature-activation. Chronic pain is associated with many different diseases and thermosensation represents a significant component of pain sensation. Therefore, a molecular understanding of thermosensation is important and relevant to the field of pain. I expect this study to significantly advance the understanding of how we sense temperature at the molecular level.
| Moldenhauer, Hans; Latorre, Ramon; Grandl, Jörg (2014) The pore-domain of TRPA1 mediates the inhibitory effect of the antagonist 6-methyl-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-indazole. PLoS One 9:e106776 |
| Jabba, Sairam; Goyal, Raman; Sosa-Pagán, Jason O et al. (2014) Directionality of temperature activation in mouse TRPA1 ion channel can be inverted by single-point mutations in ankyrin repeat six. Neuron 82:1017-31 |
| Kim, Sung Eun; Patapoutian, Ardem; Grandl, Jörg (2013) Single residues in the outer pore of TRPV1 and TRPV3 have temperature-dependent conformations. PLoS One 8:e59593 |
