Premium
TRPA1 contributes to specific mechanically activated currents and sensory neuron mechanical hypersensitivity
Author(s) -
Brierley Stuart M.,
Castro Joel,
Harrington Andrea M.,
Hughes Patrick A.,
Page Amanda J.,
Rychkov Grigori Y.,
Blackshaw L. Ashley
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.206789
Subject(s) - allyl isothiocyanate , dorsal root ganglion , chemistry , agonist , neurite , neuroscience , sensory neuron , nociceptor , biophysics , neuron , sensory system , receptor , biology , biochemistry , nociception , in vitro
Non‐technical summary Detecting mechanical stimuli is vital to determining our responses to environmental challenges. The speed required for this process suggests ion channels are opened in response to mechanical forces. A specialised membrane protein called the TRPA1 ion channel mediates chemical based pain; however its role in mechanical pain remains unresolved. Here we show that TRPA1 contributes to the detection of mechanical stimuli in a select set of pain sensing neurons. Furthermore, we also show that acute activation of this channel enhances the mechanical responsiveness of these neurons. Finally, we also show that increasing the expression of TRPA1 causes a further enhancement in the mechanical response. These findings suggest that a drug designed to block TRPA1 would be beneficial for the treatment of numerous pathological conditions associated with mechanical pain.