Role of transient receptor potential channels in adipocyte biology

Abstract

The transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily is a family of 28 nonselective cation channels expressed on the plasma membrane with a high permeability to calcium. Role of TRP channels, especially TRP vanilloid 1, TRP ankyrin 1 and TRP melastatin 8, is widely documented in nociception. During the last few years, there has been a consistent increase in reports indicating the presence and significance of these channels in different tissues including bladder, skin, respiratory system and brain. Based on calcium permeability of these channels and the much published role of calcium and its signaling in adipogenesis, there is a potential for importance of these ion channels in adipocyte biology. This review provides insight into the involvement of TRP channels in adipocyte differentiation, obesity and associated complications. Furthermore, the authors will focus to evaluate these channels as potential therapeutic targets for the management of obesity.

Keywords::

• adipogenesis
• calcium
• capsaicin
• dietary constituents
• obesity
• transient receptor potential channels

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.