Brief Communication abstract


Nature Neuroscience 10, 277 - 279 (2007)
Published online: 28 January 2007 | doi:10.1038/nn1843

Direct activation of the ion channel TRPA1 by Ca2+

Sandra Zurborg1,2, Brian Yurgionas1,2, Julia A Jira1, Ombretta Caspani1 & Paul A Heppenstall1

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TRPA1 is an ion channel expressed by nociceptors and activated by irritant compounds such as mustard oil. The endogenous function of TRPA1 has remained unclear, a fact highlighted by ongoing debate over its potential role as a sensor of noxious cold. Here we show that intracellular Ca2+ activates human TRPA1 via an EF-hand domain and that cold sensitivity occurs indirectly (and nonphysiologically) through increased [Ca2+]i during cooling in heterologous systems.

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  1. Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, D-12200 Berlin, Germany.
  2. These authors contributed equally to this work.

Correspondence to: Paul A Heppenstall1 e-mail: paul.heppenstall@charite.de

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