Regulation of activity of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel by its short isoforms

J Biol Chem. 2012 Jan 27;287(5):2948-62. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.270256. Epub 2011 Nov 28.

Abstract

One important mechanism of the regulation of membrane ion channels involves their nonfunctional isoforms generated by alternative splicing. However, knowledge of such isoforms for the members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of ion channels remains quite limited. This study focuses on the TRPM8, which functions as a cold receptor in sensory neurons but is also expressed in tissues not exposed to ambient temperatures, as well as in cancer tissues. We report the cloning from prostate cancer cells of new short splice variants of TRPM8, termed short TRPM8α and short TRPM8β. Our results show that both variants are in a closed configuration with the C-terminal tail of the full-length TRPM8 channel, resulting in stabilization of its closed state and thus reducing both its cold sensitivity and activity. Our findings therefore uncover a new mode of regulation of the TRPM8 channel by its splice variants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Stability
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • TRPM Cation Channels / genetics
  • TRPM Cation Channels / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPM8 protein, human