Review
Nature Reviews Neuroscience 4, 529-539 (July 2003) | doi:10.1038/nrn1141
Focus on: Sensory Systems
ThermoTRP channels and beyond: mechanisms of temperature sensation
Ardem Patapoutian1,2, Andrea M. Peier2, Gina M. Story1 & Veena Viswanath2 About the authors
Abstract
We possess an acute sense of temperature. Most of us seek shade on a hot summer day, prefer a warm shower to a cold one, and enjoy red wines served at a temperature of 15–18°C. Thermosensation not only affects our comfort, but is also essential for the survival of most organisms. We are now beginning to uncover the molecular identity of proteins that confer thermosensation. The thermoTRPs, a subset of transient receptor potential ion channels are activated by distinct physiological temperatures, and are involved in converting thermal information into chemical and electrical signals within the sensory nervous system.
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Author affiliations
- Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, California 92121, USA.
Correspondence to: Ardem Patapoutian1,2 Email: ardem@scripps.edu
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