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The mechano‐activated K + channels TRAAK and TREK‐1 control both warm and cold perception
Author(s) -
Noël Jacques,
Zimmermann Katharina,
Busserolles Jérome,
Deval Emanuel,
Alloui Abdelkrim,
Diochot Sylvie,
Guy Nicolas,
Borsotto Marc,
Reeh Peter,
Eschalier Alain,
Lazdunski Michel
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/emboj.2009.57
Subject(s) - nociceptor , transient receptor potential channel , trpm8 , stimulation , neuroscience , excitatory postsynaptic potential , population , thermoreceptor , sensory system , biology , biophysics , trpv1 , nociception , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , receptor , medicine , biochemistry , environmental health
The sensation of cold or heat depends on the activation of specific nerve endings in the skin. This involves heat‐ and cold‐sensitive excitatory transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. However, we show here that the mechano‐gated and highly temperature‐sensitive potassium channels of the TREK/TRAAK family, which normally work as silencers of the excitatory channels, are also implicated. They are important for the definition of temperature thresholds and temperature ranges in which excitation of nociceptor takes place and for the intensity of excitation when it occurs. They are expressed with thermo‐TRP channels in sensory neurons. TRAAK and TREK‐1 channels control pain produced by mechanical stimulation and both heat and cold pain perception in mice. Expression of TRAAK alone or in association with TREK‐1 controls heat responses of both capsaicin‐sensitive and capsaicin‐insensitive sensory neurons. Together TREK‐1 and TRAAK channels are important regulators of nociceptor activation by cold, particularly in the nociceptor population that is not activated by menthol.