Molecular Basis of Somatic Sensation

Description (provided by applicant): Thermosensitive channels open at hot or cold temperatures and mediate our perception of environmental temperature. Some of these channels also mediate non-thermally induced sensations of pain. These thermosensitive channels are expressed by cells of somatosensory ganglia as well as by cells of the skin. We have discovered a novel thermally gated channel activated by warming from painfully cold temperatures. This channel is activated by pain-relieving rather than pain-causing thermal stimulation. We find this thermally-induced current in a skin cell line. We also find that the gene encoding this channel is expressed by cells of the skin and perhaps also of the somatosensory ganglia that innervate the skin. We propose to determine by patch clamp recordings what temperature changes open and close this channel, what drugs block or fail to block it, and what ions pass through it. We intend to find out by in situ hybridization and antibody detection methods which cells express this channel's gene and protein, and will use calcium imaging or electrophysiological methods to determine whether these cells functionally express the resulting thermosensitive channel. Finally, we will determine the effects of knocking out the Trpml3 gene, focusing on the physiological response of cells and whole animals to temperature and other sensory stimuli. These studies aim to elucidate how we detect environmental temperature changes but also how antinociceptive or pleasurable sensation may take place. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Project Currently known thermosensitive channels do not account for all thermal stimuli we perceive. Furthermore, there is presently no knowledge of how pleasurable or pain- relieving stimuli may be detected other than by decreased activation of nociceptive receptors. The activation of TRPML3 channels by temperature changes when warming from painful cold may contribute to the understanding of both thermal sensation and pain relief.