Transient Calcium Entry by Plasmalogen-Mediated Activation of Receptor Potential Cation Channel Promotes AMPK Activity

This study reveals that plasmalogens, a type of cell membrane lipid, can activate the TRPC4 ion channel, leading to an increase in calcium influx and subsequent activation of AMPK through phosphorylation. When applied topically to mouse skin, plasmalogens activated AMPK in hair follicles and hair bulbs that express TRPC4, which is associated with hair-follicle stem cells. This activation of AMPK is suggested to promote hair growth in mice, indicating that plasmalogens may act as initiators for TRPC4 activation and subsequent hair growth stimulation.