TRP ion channels

Overview

Transient receptor potential channels are a large group of Ca permeable ion channels that allow Ca entry without cell depolarization.

These channels are important in both excitable and non-excitable cells. Unlike voltage gated channels, TRP channel study has until very recently been hampered by a lack of selective pharmacological probes.

The cloning of the TRP channel family has provided a route to identifying ligands that can now be used to probe the physiological role of these channels.  

Dr Chris Benham, spent a number of years working in this area at GSK where he was instrumental in setting up and developing the company’s interest in the TRP family of ion channels. This resulted in the lead TRPV1 antagonist reaching Phase 2 in clinical trials.

The current focus of Dr Benham’s research continues this interest and is examining the function of TRP family members in sensory systems, the cardio-vascular system and the gastrointestinal tract.  

In collaboration with Dr Lisa Lione, TRP channel function in viscera is being compared in normal and diabetes model tissues to see if any consequences of diabetes, particularly diabetic neuropathy, might be as a result of TRP channel dysfunction.

A second limb of this collaboration is to examine vascular dysfunction in diabetes models. The function of TRP channels in sensory systems, including the role of intracellular TRPV channels, is being explored with support from GSK.

Collaborations

• Dr Martin Gunthorpe at GSK Harlow, Prof Praveen Anand, Imperial College London
• Dr Malcolm Begg, GSK Stevenage