Concluding remarks and future directions

Shaya Lev, Baruch Minke*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

TRP channels are polymodal cellular sensors involved in a wide variety of cellular responses, reacting to changes in the external and internal environment of humans. Many members of the TRP channel superfamily are involved in human pathological states with disease like symptoms. The following topics are covered in this chapter: (i) A remarkable diversity in TRP channels, limited knowledge of basic properties of TRP channels, conflicting data due to the use of heterologous expression systems and lack of specific pharmacology make TRP related diseases difficult targets for diagnosis and therapy. (ii) The conservation of TRP channels through evolution allows using Drosophila and C. elegans as relevant model systems for in vivo studies, utilizing the genetic approach. Future advance will also require studying mammalian TRP channels in their native systems. (iii) Several TRP channel types are the primary cause of channelopathies involved in rare diseases, while the evidence for the involvement of others in diseases is mainly circumstantial. Therefore, it would be most beneficial to direct the main future efforts towards widespread pathologies such as pain, neuronal cell death, induced by oxidative stress and diabetes. These pathologies most likely involve TRPV1, TRPM7 and TRPM2, respectively, in a sill unclear manner. (iv) Avoiding side effects in TRP pharmacology requires comprehensive knowledge of channel properties and regulation in order to differentiate between the various TRPs. It also requires targeting the pharmacology towards TRP channels in a cell specific manner, in order to offer future therapies for TRP-dependent pathologies.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTRP Channels in Health and Disease
Subtitle of host publicationImplications for Diagnosis and Therapy
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages515-533
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)9781620818121
ISBN (Print)9781616683375
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2011

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

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