Cation channels of the transient receptor potential superfamily: Their
role in physiological and pathophysiological processes of smooth muscle
cells
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, 112 (3):
744-760 (December 2006)DOI: {10.1016/j.pharmthera.2006.05.013}
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are essential components of many tissues of
the body. Ion channels regulate their membrane potential, the
intracellular Ca2+ concentration (Ca2+(i)) and their contractility.
Among the ion channels expressed in SMC cation channels of the transient
receptor potential (TRP) superfamily allow the entry of Na+, Ca2+ and
Mg2+. Members of the TRP superfamily are essential constituents of
tonically active channels (TAC), receptor-operated channels (ROC),
store-operated channels (SOC) and stretch-activated channels (SAC). This
review focusses on TRP channels (TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, TRPC6,
TRPC7, TRPV2, TRPV4, TRPM4, TRPM7, TRPP2) whose physiological functions
in SMC were dissected by downregulating channel activity in isolated
tissues or by the analysis of gene-deficient mouse models. Their
possible functional role and physiological regulation as homomeric or
heteromeric channels in SMC are discussed. Moreover, TRP channels may
also be responsible for pathophysiological processes involving SMC-like
airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary hypertension. Therefore, they
present important drug targets for future pharmacological interventions.
(c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.