Recent advances on the structure and the function relationships of the TRPV4 ion channel

Abstract

The members of the superfamily of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channels are physiologically important molecules that have been studied for many years and are still being intensively researched. Among the vanilloid TRP subfamily, the TRPV4 ion channel is an interesting protein due to its involvement in several essential physiological processes and in the development of various diseases. As in other proteins, changes in its function that lead to the development of pathological states, have been closely associated with modification of its regulation by different molecules, but also by the appearance of mutations which affect the structure and gating of the channel. In the last few years, some structures for the TRPV4 channel have been solved. Due to the importance of this protein in physiology, here we discuss the recent progress in determining the structure of the TRPV4 channel, which has been achieved in three species of animals ( Xenopus tropicalis , Mus musculus , and Homo sapiens ), highlighting conserved features as well as key differences among them and emphasizing the binding sites for some ligands that play crucial roles in its regulation.

Latest Insights into the In Vivo Studies in Murine Regarding the Role of TRP Channels in Wound Healing—A Review

“…In mammal skin (keratinocytes), particularly in hair follicles and the basal layer of the epidermis, there is a high expression level of TRPV3 [ 63 , 66 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 ]. The expression of TRPV3 is also present in human sensory neurons, spinal motor neurons, and peripheral nerves, but it is not yet known if it is also expressed in rat and mouse sensory neurons [ 96 , 97 , 98 ].…”

Latest Insights into the In Vivo Studies Regarding the Role of TRP Channels in Wound Healing—A Review

“…In mammals skin (keratinocytes), particularly in hair follicles and the basal layer of the epidermis, there is a high expression level of TRPV3 [59,[85][86][87][88][89]. The expression of TRPV3 is also present in human sensory neurons, spinal motor neurons, and peripheral nerves, but it is not yet known if it is also expressed in rat and mouse sensory neurons [90][91][92] TRPV3 mRNA and protein are prominently expressed in skin keratinocytes. TRPV3, along with other TRPV channels, can be activated by thermal or chemical stimuli.…”

“…This channel plays a significant role in the maintenance of the epidermal barrier by elevating intracellular calcium levels in human keratinocytes and promoting the formation of cell-cell junctions. TRPV4 expression is decreased by suppressing cultured human keratinocytes [37,92]. The recovery of the epidermal barrier can be quicker with increased temperatures and with chemical agonists of TRPV4, in human skin tissues when stratum corneum was removed.…”