TRP Channels in Physiological Nociception and Pain

The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channel superfamily is comprised of a large group of cationpermeable
channels, which display an extraordinary diversity of functions from sensory signaling to
animal behaviors. These channels are ‘cellular sensors’ that respond to changes in the cellular
environment, including temperature, stretch/pressure, chemicals, oxidation/reduction, osmolarity and
pH, and of spices, venoms and toxins. The role of TRPs will be further elucidated in complex diseases
of the nervous, intestinal, renal, urogenital, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Although the
physiological functions of most TRP channels are not well known, their wide distribution in cellular
membranes indicates that the biological functions and activation mechanisms for these channels are
diverse and important. In this paper we review our recent findings of activation different TRP channels
evoked by chemical irritants such as cinnamon aldehyde and mustard oil for TRPA1, menthol for
TRPM8 and capsaicin for TRPV1 by a battery of behavioral tests.