Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels form a large family of plasma membrane cation channels. Mammalian members of the "short" TRP family (TRP channel (TRPC) 1-7 are Ca 2؉ -permeant, non-selective cation channels that are widely expressed in various cell types, including neurons. TRPC activity is linked through unknown mechanisms to G-protein-coupled receptors or receptor tyrosine kinases that activate phospholipase C. entry. Since the cloning of the original trp gene (3), the "TRP" family of proteins has expanded rapidly. Recently, TRPs were subdivided into three groups, short, long, and Osm (4). Mammalian "short" TRP channels (TRPCs) 1 form a seven-member group of second messenger-operated, non-selective Ca 2ϩ -permeable cation channels (TRPC1-7) that can be activated by G-protein-coupled receptors or tyrosine receptor kinases. Phospholipase C plays a key role in stimulation of TRPC activity, although the specific mechanism of channel activation is unclear (5). Several activation mechanisms have been proposed, including stimulation by store depletion, direct coupling with IP 3 receptor/ryanodine receptors, and activation by second messengers such as diacylglycerol (6 -10).TRPCs are widely expressed in mammalian tissues, and the mRNAs of some isoforms such as TRPC4 and TRPC5 are expressed predominantly in brain (11-13). To date, almost all studies of TRPC isoforms have been performed in non-excitable expression systems such as HEK293 cells, Chinese hamster ovary cells, and oocytes (5). There is no universal agreement on the ion selectivity and kinetic properties of individual TRPCs. At least part of the controversy arises because TRPC isoforms can exhibit different characteristics in different cellular environments (14).Neurotransmitter release in neurons and neuroendocrine cells is triggered by a rise in [Ca 2ϩ ]. Voltage-gated Ca 2ϩ channels (VGCC) provide highly localized, rapid [Ca 2ϩ ] elevations. Additional Ca 2ϩ entry pathways, however, may trigger or modulate exocytosis. For example, numerous metabotropic presynaptic receptors can modulate synaptic release via second messenger systems. G-protein-coupled receptors that activate phospholipase C cause release of Ca 2ϩ from intracellular stores and may activate additional cationic conductances such as store-operated or other cation channels. To determine whether TRPCs can respond to G-protein-coupled receptor signaling and mediate exocytosis in neuronal cells, we transiently expressed TRPC4 in mouse adrenal chromaffin cells, which are developmentally related to sympathetic neurons.We found that stimulation of TRPC4 via the G q/11 -linked histamine H 1 receptor induced exocytosis in chromaffin cells co-transfected with TRPC4 and H 1 -R. Thapsigargin and IP 3 did not stimulate TRPC4 in the cells, suggesting that activation is not store-operated. Because TRPC4 is abundant in hippocampal pyramidal neurons and cortical neurons (11), we propose that activation of by agonists of metabotropic receptors may regulate secretory responses in neurons.
EXPERIM...