Optical Assessment of Nociceptive TRP Channel Function at the Peripheral Nerve Terminal

Free nerve endings are key structures in sensory transduction of noxious stimuli. In spite of this, little is known about their functional organization. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have emerged as key molecular identities in the sensory transduction of pain-producing stimuli, yet the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fernando Aleixandre-Carrera, Nurit Engelmayer, David Ares-Suárez, María del Carmen Acosta, Carlos Belmonte, Juana Gallar, Víctor Meseguer, Alexander M. Binshtok
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/481
Description
Summary:Free nerve endings are key structures in sensory transduction of noxious stimuli. In spite of this, little is known about their functional organization. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have emerged as key molecular identities in the sensory transduction of pain-producing stimuli, yet the vast majority of our knowledge about sensory TRP channel function is limited to data obtained from in vitro models which do not necessarily reflect physiological conditions. In recent years, the development of novel optical methods such as genetically encoded calcium indicators and photo-modulation of ion channel activity by pharmacological tools has provided an invaluable opportunity to directly assess nociceptive TRP channel function at the nerve terminal.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067