Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 3, also known as TRPV3, is a human
gene
In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...
encoding the
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
of the same name.
The TRPV3 protein belongs to a family of nonselective cation
channels that function in a variety of processes, including temperature sensation and
vasoregulation. The thermosensitive members of this family are expressed in subsets of human
sensory neuron
Sensory neurons, also known as afferent neurons, are neurons in the nervous system, that convert a specific type of stimulus, via their receptors, into action potentials or graded receptor potentials. This process is called sensory transduc ...
s that terminate in the skin, and are activated at distinct physiological temperatures. This channel is activated at temperatures between 22 and 40 degrees C. The gene lies in close proximity to another family member (
TRPV1
The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), also known as the capsaicin receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1, is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ''TRPV1'' gene. It was the first isolated member of ...
) gene on chromosome 17, and the two encoded proteins are thought to associate with each other to form heteromeric channels.
Function
The TRPV3 channel has wide tissue expression that is especially high in the
skin
Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation.
Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...
(
keratinocyte
Keratinocytes are the primary type of cell found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. In humans, they constitute 90% of epidermal skin cells. Basal cells in the basal layer (''stratum basale'') of the skin are sometimes referre ...
s) but also in the
brain
The brain is an organ (biology), organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for ...
. It functions as a molecular sensor for innocuous warm temperatures.
Mice lacking these protein are unable to sense elevated temperatures (>33 °C) but are able to sense cold and noxious heat.
In addition to thermosensation TRPV3 channels seem to play a role in hair growth because mutations in the TRPV3 gene cause hair loss in mice.
The role of TRPV3 channels in the brain is unclear, but appears to play a role in mood regulation. The protective effects of the natural product,
incensole acetate were partially mediated by TRPV3 channels.
Modulation
The TRPV3 channel is directly activated by various natural compounds like
carvacrol
Carvacrol, or cymophenol, C6H3(CH3)(OH)C3H7, is a monoterpene, monoterpenoid phenol. It has a characteristic pungent, warm odor of oregano.
Natural occurrence
Carvacrol is present in the essential oil of ''Origanum vulgare'' (oregano), oil of t ...
,
thymol
Thymol (also known as 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, IPMP), , is a toxic monoterpenoid phenol derivative of ''p''-Cymene, isomeric with carvacrol. It occurs naturally in the oil of thyme, and it is extracted from ''Thymus vulgaris'' (common thy ...
and
eugenol
Eugenol is an allyl chain-substituted guaiacol, a member of the allylbenzene class of chemical compounds. It is a colorless to pale yellow, aromatic oily liquid extracted from certain essential oils especially from clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, ...
.
Several other
monoterpenoids which cause either feeling of warmth or are
skin sensitizers can also open the channel.
Monoterpenoids also induce agonist-specific desensitization of TRPV3 channels in a calcium-independent manner.
Resolvin E1 (RvE1), RvD2, and 17''R''-RvD1 (see
resolvin
Resolvins are specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) derived from omega-3 fatty acids, primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as from two isomers of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), one omega-3 and one ...
s) are metabolites of the
omega 3 fatty acids,
eicosapentaenoic acid (for RvE1) or
docosahexaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega−3 fatty acid that is an important component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, and retina. It is given the fatty acid notation 22:6(''n''−3). It can be synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid or ...
(for RvD2 and 17''R''-RvD1). These metabolites are members of the
specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) class of metabolites that function to resolve diverse inflammatory reactions and diseases in animal models and, it is proposed, humans. These SPMs also dampen pain perception arising from various inflammation-based causes in animal models. The mechanism behind their pain-dampening effects involves the inhibition of TRPV3, probably (in at least certain cases) by an indirect effect wherein they activate other receptors located on neurons or nearby
microglia
Microglia are a type of glia, glial cell located throughout the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia account for about around 5–10% of cells found within the brain. As the resident macrophage cells, they act as t ...
or
astrocyte
Astrocytes (from Ancient Greek , , "star" and , , "cavity", "cell"), also known collectively as astroglia, are characteristic star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. They perform many functions, including biochemical control of en ...
s.
CMKLR1,
GPR32,
FPR2, and
NMDA receptor
The ''N''-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (also known as the NMDA receptor or NMDAR), is a glutamate receptor and predominantly Ca2+ ion channel found in neurons. The NMDA receptor is one of three types of ionotropic glutamate receptors, the other ...
s have been proposed to be the receptors through which these SPMs operate to
down-regulate TRPV3 and thereby pain perception.
2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) is a mixed agonist-antagonist of the TRPV3 receptor, acting as an antagonist at low concentrations but showing agonist activity when used in larger amounts.
Drofenine also acts as a TRPV3 agonist in addition to its other actions. Conversely,
icilin has been shown to act as a TRPV3 antagonist, as well as a
TRPM8
Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M (melastatin) member 8 (TRPM8), also known as the cold and menthol receptor 1 (CMR1), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''TRPM8'' gene. The TRPM8 channel is the primary molecular ...
agonist.
Forsythoside B acts as a TRPV3 inhibitor among other actions.
Farnesyl pyrophosphate is an endogenous agonist of TRPV3, while
incensole acetate from
frankincense
Frankincense, also known as olibanum (), is an Aroma compound, aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus ''Boswellia'' in the family (biology), family Burseraceae. The word is from Old French ('high-quality in ...
also acts as an agonist at TRPV3.
TRPV3-74a is a selective TRPV3 antagonist.
Ligands
Agonists
*
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid, one of 113 identified cannabinoids in ''Cannabis'', along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and accounts for up to 40% of the plant's extract. Medically, it is an anticonvulsant used to treat multiple f ...
*
Tetrahydrocannabivarin
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, THV, O-4394, GWP42004) is a Homologous series, homologue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) having a propyl (3-carbon) side chain instead of pentyl (5-carbon), making it non-psychoactive in lower doses. It has been shown ...
*
Cannabigerolic acid
*
Cannabigerovarin
See also
*
TRPV
TRPV is a family of transient receptor potential cation channels (TRP channels) in animals. All TRPVs are highly calcium selective.
TRP channels are a large group of ion channels consisting of six protein families, located mostly on the plasm ...
*
Endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system composed of endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors, and cannabinoid receptor proteins that are expressed throughout the central nervous system ( ...
References
Further reading
*
*
External links
*
{{Transient receptor potential channel modulators
Ion channels