Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels are sophisticated signaling machines that detect a wide variety of environmental and physiological signals. Every cell in the body expresses one or more members of the extended TRP channel family, which consists of over 30 subtypes, each likely possessing distinct pharmacological, biophysical, and/or structural attributes. While the function of some TRP subtypes remains enigmatic, those involved in sensory signaling are perhaps best characterized and have served as models for understanding how these excitatory ion channels serve as polymodal signal integrators. With the recent resolution revolution in cryo–electron microscopy, these and other TRP channel subtypes are now yielding their secrets to detailed atomic analysis, which is beginning to reveal structural underpinnings of stimulus detection and gating, ion permeation, and allosteric mechanisms governing signal integration. These insights are providing a framework for designing and evaluating modality-specific pharmacological agents for treating sensory and other TRP channel–associated disorders.

中文翻译：

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三维感觉 TRP 通道

瞬时受体电位 (TRP) 离子通道是复杂的信号机器，可检测各种环境和生理信号。体内的每个细胞都表达扩展 TRP 通道家族的一个或多个成员，该家族由 30 多种亚型组成，每种亚型可能具有不同的药理学、生物物理和/或结构属性。虽然某些 TRP 亚型的功能仍然是个谜，但那些参与感觉信号传导的亚型可能得到了最好的表征，并已成为了解这些兴奋性离子通道如何充当多模式信号积分器的模型。随着最近冷冻电子显微镜分辨率的革命，这些和其他 TRP 通道亚型现在正在将其秘密交给详细的原子分析，这开始揭示刺激检测和门控、离子渗透和控制信号集成的变构机制的结构基础。这些见解为设计和评估用于治疗感觉和其他 TRP 通道相关疾病的特定药物制剂提供了一个框架。