Evolution of trp channels as mediators of pheromone signaling

Rory Ostrow, Travers Ruel, Tommy Voigt, Cecil James Saunders, Robert Hallock

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family are involved in pheromone signaling, in both the vomeronasal and the olfactory systems in many species. Since the light-activated TRP and TRPL channels were discovered in Drosophila, TRP channel homologues have been identified in many different sensory systems across taxa. For example TRPC2, TRPM4 and TRPM5 are essential for vomeronasal and olfactory system sensing in many animals. Although these channels serve a very different function from their Drosophila homologues, their mechanism of action is similar to most TRP channel members utilized in the mammalian chemical senses-activation of a g-protein coupled receptor triggers opening of the TRP channel through the production of a secondary messenger, resulting the influx of cations and the depolarization of the sensory cell. Since, pheromone signaling plays a crucial role in the communication of many diverse non-human animals and TRP channel family members are essential for these systems to function, examining the difference between TRPC2, TRPM4 and TRPM5 may reveal how evolution has shaped these sensory systems. This review describes the array of TRP channels important to pheromone sensing, the evolution processes which shaped them, and their involvement in the transduction of pheromone signals.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnimal Communication and Cognition
Subtitle of host publicationPrinciples, Evolution and Development
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages87-106
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9781634824255
ISBN (Print)9781634824118
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2015

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