瞬时受体电位通道(transient receptor potential channels,TRP channels)是一类六次跨膜的非选择性阳离子通道,与经典离子通道主要受膜电位或配体的激活不同,TRP通道可受渗透压、pH值、机械力、配体以及细胞内信号分子等多种因素的激活,进而参与体内多种生理和病理过程,如感受痛、热等伤害刺激以及参与炎症等病理过程。近来较多的证据提示TRP通道在机械感觉中尤其有重要作用。本文对机械感觉功能相关的TRP通道,尤其是与听觉相关的TRP通道的研究进展进行综述,分析可能的激活和调控机制并展望其未来的发展方向。
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are non-selective cation channels associated with sixtransmembrane domains. They are widely distributed in the mammal and crucially involved in the various physiological and pathologic processes, such as noxious stimuli and inflammation. Recently, lots of evidences show that the TRP channels also play important roles in mechanosensation. This review focuses on recent advances of the roles of TRP channels in mechanosensation, especially in auditory function. We also summarize the activation and regulation mechanisms of TRP channels and prospect the future research direction.