The ubiquitous transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels function as non-selective, Ca(2+)-permeable channels and mediate numerous cellular functions. It is commonly assumed that TRPC channels are activated by stimulation of Gα(q)-PLC-coupled receptors. However, whether the Gα(q)-PLC pathway is the main regulator of TRPC4/5 channels and how other Gα proteins may regulate these channels are poorly understood. We previously reported that TRPC4/TRPC5 can be activated by Gα(i). In the current work, we found that Gα(i) subunits, rather than Gα(q), are the primary and direct activators of TRPC4 and TRPC5. We report a novel molecular mechanism in which TRPC4 is activated by several Gα(i) subunits, most prominently by Gα(i2), and TRPC5 is activated primarily by Gα(i3). Activation of Gα(i) by the muscarinic M2 receptors or expression of the constitutively active Gα(i) mutants equally and fully activates the channels. Moreover, both TRPC4 and TRPC5 are activated by direct interaction of their conserved C-terminal SESTD (SEC14-like and spectrin-type domains) with the Gα(i) subunits. Two amino acids (lysine 715 and arginine 716) of the TRPC4 C terminus were identified by structural modeling as mediating the interaction with Gα(i2). These findings indicate an essential role of Gα(i) proteins as novel activators for TRPC4/5 and reveal the molecular mechanism by which G-proteins activate the channels.

Aberrant glutathione or Ca²⁺ homeostasis due to oxidative stress is associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. The Ca²⁺-permeable transient receptor potential cation (TRPC) channel is predominantly expressed in the brain, which is sensitive to oxidative stress. However, the role of the TRPC channel in neurodegeneration is not known. Here, we report a mechanism of TRPC5 activation by oxidants and the effect of glutathionylated TRPC5 on striatal neurons in Huntington’s disease. Intracellular oxidized glutathione leads to TRPC5 activation via TRPC5 S-glutathionylation at Cys176/Cys178 residues. The oxidized glutathione-activated TRPC5-like current results in a sustained increase in cytosolic Ca²⁺, activated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and the calpain-caspase pathway, ultimately inducing striatal neuronal cell death. We observed an abnormal glutathione pool indicative of an oxidized state in the striatum of Huntington’s disease transgenic (YAC128) mice. Increased levels of endogenous TRPC5 S-glutathionylation were observed in the striatum in both transgenic mice and patients with Huntington’s disease. Both knockdown and inhibition of TRPC5 significantly attenuated oxidation-induced striatal neuronal cell death. Moreover, a TRPC5 blocker improved rearing behaviour in Huntington’s disease transgenic mice and motor behavioural symptoms in littermate control mice by increasing striatal neuron survival. Notably, low levels of TRPC1 increased the formation of TRPC5 homotetramer, a highly Ca²⁺-permeable channel, and stimulated Ca²⁺-dependent apoptosis in Huntington’s disease cells (STHdh^Q111/111). Taken together, these novel findings indicate that increased TRPC5 S-glutathionylation by oxidative stress and decreased TRPC1 expression contribute to neuronal damage in the striatum and may underlie neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease.

Ginsenosides play a role in a number of physiological and pharmacological functions in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to clarify the potential role for transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channels in ginsenoside Rg3-inhibited growth and survival of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line. The AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of Rg3. Sub-G1 analysis, caspase-3 activity and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage analysis were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occurs by apoptosis. TRPM7 channel blockers (La³⁺ or 2-APB) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used in this study to confirm the role of TRPM7 channels. Furthermore, TRPM7 channels were over-expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells to identify the role of TRPM7 channels in AGS cell growth and survival. The addition of Rg3 to the culture medium inhibited AGS growth and survival. Experimental results showed sub-G1 was markedly increased, caspase-3 activity was elevated, and degree of PARP cleavage was increased. TRPM7 channel blockade, either by La³⁺ or 2-APB or by suppressing TRPM7 expression with siRNA, blocked the Rg3-induced inhibition of cell growth and survival. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel over-expression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated Rg3-induced cell death. These findings indicate that ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits the growth and survival of gastric cancer cell which is because of the blockade of TRPM7 channel activity. Therefore, TRPM7 channels may play an important role in the survival of gastric cancer.

MCOLN3/TRPML3 is a Ca²⁺-permeable cation channel that is expressed in multiple subcellular compartments with dynamic localization. Our previous studies suggest that upon macroautophagy/autophagy induction MCOLN3/TRPML3 is recruited and provides Ca²⁺ for the fusion process in autophagosome biogenesis. However, how intracellular trafficking and the Ca²⁺ channel function of MCOLN3/TRPML3 are related to autophagy are not known. Here we report that MCOLN3/TRPML3 undergoes palmitoylation at its C-terminal region, which is required for dynamic trafficking and cellular function of MCOLN3/TRPML3 in autophagy. Palmitoylation regulated MCOLN3/TRPML3 surface expression and trafficking, but not channel properties or localization and function of intracellular MCOLN3/TRPML3. Activation of intracellular MCOLN3/TRPML3 induced robust Ca²⁺ release, which solely increased autophagy in Ca²⁺- and palmitoylation-dependent manners. Palmitoylation regulated not only intracellular MCOLN3/TRPML3 trafficking to autophagic structures but also autophagic flux in induced autophagy. Importantly, nutrient starvation activated MCOLN3/TRPML3 to release Ca²⁺ and increased the level of MCOLN3/TRPML3 palmitoylation. Disruption of MCOLN3/TRPML3 palmitoylation, however, abolished the starvation-induced MCOLN3/TRPML3 activation without affecting channel activity. These results suggest that trafficking and channel function of MCOLN3/TRPML3 are regulated in the context of autophagy, and palmitoylation is a prerequisite for the function of MCOLN3/TRPML3 as a Ca²⁺ channel in autophagosome formation by controlling its trafficking between subcellular compartments. Abbreviations: 17-ODYA, 17-octadecynoic acid; 2-BP, 2-bromopalmitate; BFA, brefeldin A; DN, dominant-negative; GPN, glycyl-L-phenylalanine-beta-naphthylamide; HN, hydroxylamine; KD, knockdown; MCOLN3/TRPML3, mucolipin 3; MS, mass spectrometry; PAT, palmitoyl acyltransferase; PM, plasma membrane; WT, wild type; ZDHHC, a zinc-finger motif and an Asp-His-His-Cys sequence

Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a member of the melastatin-related subfamily and contains a channel and a kinase domain. TRPM7 is known to be associated with cell proliferation, survival, and development. It is ubiquitously expressed, highly permeable to Mg(2+) and Ca(2+), and its channel activity is negatively regulated by free Mg(2+) and Mg-complexed nucleotides. Recent studies have investigated the relationships between TRPM7 and a number of diseases. TRPM7 regulates cell proliferation in several cancers, and is associated with ischemic cell death and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function. This review discusses the physiologic and pathophysiologic functions and significance of TRPM7 in several diseases.