Anti-transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 8

Biochem/physiol Actions

TRPM8 is the receptor-activated non-selective cation channel involved in detection of sensations such as coolness, by being activated by cold temperature below 25 degrees Celsius. TRPM8 is activated by icilin, eucalyptol, menthol, cold and modulation of intracellular pH. TRPM8 is involved in menthol sensation. TRPM8 is permeable for monovalent cations sodium, potassium, and cesium and divalent cation calcium. Temperature sensing is tightly linked to voltage-dependent gating. TRPM8 was activated upon depolarization, changes in temperature resulting in graded shifts of its voltage-dependent activation curves. The chemical agonists menthol functions as a gating modifier, shifting activation curves towards physiological membrane potentials. Temperature sensitivity arises from a tenfold difference in the activation energies associated with voltage-dependent opening and closing.