Molecular Studies of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 3 (TRPV3)

This study explores the role of the TRPV3 ion channel, primarily expressed in skin keratinocytes, in various physiological processes and its involvement in skin diseases. The research generated a stable human TRPV3 cell line and investigated its function in lung cancer cells (A549) and keratinocytes. It was found that GPCRs do not sensitize or open TRPV3 channels but desensitize them to the agonist 2-APB. Novel agonists for TRPV3 were identified, and repeated stimulation was shown to potentiate TRPV3 activity, potentially due to phosphorylation. A significant finding was that TRPV3 is sensitized by shear stress, suggesting a role in mechanotransduction, which could explain its function in the endothelium and its contribution to itch in nerves and skin. The study highlights the need for further research to understand TRPV3's physiological activation and regulation due to the lack of selective pharmacological tools.