Canonical TRP channels and mechanotransduction: from physiology to disease states

Pflugers Arch. 2010 Aug;460(3):571-81. doi: 10.1007/s00424-010-0847-8. Epub 2010 May 21.

Abstract

Mechano-gated ion channels play a key physiological role in cardiac, arterial, and skeletal myocytes. For instance, opening of the non-selective stretch-activated cation channels in smooth muscle cells is involved in the pressure-dependent myogenic constriction of resistance arteries. These channels are also implicated in major pathologies, including cardiac hypertrophy or Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Seminal work in prokaryotes and invertebrates highlighted the role of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in mechanosensory transduction. In mammals, recent findings have shown that the canonical TRPC1 and TRPC6 channels are key players in muscle mechanotransduction. In the present review, we will focus on the functional properties of TRPC1 and TRPC6 channels, on their mechano-gating, regulation by interacting cytoskeletal and scaffolding proteins, physiological role and implication in associated diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arteries / physiology
  • Cardiomegaly / physiopathology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular*
  • Muscle Cells / physiology*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • TRPC Cation Channels / physiology*
  • TRPP Cation Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPP Cation Channels