More than cool: Promiscuous relationships of menthol and other sensory compounds

Lindsey J. Macpherson; Sun Wook Hwang; Takashi Miyamoto; Adrienne E. Dubin; Ardem Patapoutian; Gina M. Story

doi:10.1016/j.mcn.2006.05.005

More than cool: Promiscuous relationships of menthol and other sensory compounds

Lindsey J. Macpherson, Sun Wook Hwang, Takashi Miyamoto, Adrienne E. Dubin, Ardem Patapoutian, Gina M. Story

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

343 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Several temperature-activated transient receptor potential (thermoTRP) ion channels are the molecular receptors of natural compounds that evoke thermal and pain sensations. Menthol, popularly known for its cooling effect, activates TRPM8-a cold-activated thermoTRP ion channel. However, human physiological studies demonstrate a paradoxical role of menthol in modulation of warm sensation, and here, we show that menthol also activates heat-activated TRPV3. We further show that menthol inhibits TRPA1, potentially explaining the use of menthol as an analgesic. Similar to menthol, both camphor and cinnamaldehyde (initially reported to be specific activators of TRPV3 and TRPA1, respectively) also modulate other thermoTRPs. Therefore, we find that many "sensory compounds" presumed to be specific have a promiscuous relationship with thermoTRPs.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	335-343
Number of pages	9
Journal	Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Volume	32
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcn.2006.05.005
Publication status	Published - 2006 Aug
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank H. Hu and T. Earley for the technical assistance. This work was supported by NINDS grants NS046303 and NS04910. A.P. is a Damon Runyon Fellow and a member of the H. Dorris Neurological Research Institute. G.S. is a recipient of an NRSA postdoctoral fellowship from NIH (NS047911).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Molecular Biology
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Cell Biology

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10.1016/j.mcn.2006.05.005

Cite this

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title = "More than cool: Promiscuous relationships of menthol and other sensory compounds",

abstract = "Several temperature-activated transient receptor potential (thermoTRP) ion channels are the molecular receptors of natural compounds that evoke thermal and pain sensations. Menthol, popularly known for its cooling effect, activates TRPM8-a cold-activated thermoTRP ion channel. However, human physiological studies demonstrate a paradoxical role of menthol in modulation of warm sensation, and here, we show that menthol also activates heat-activated TRPV3. We further show that menthol inhibits TRPA1, potentially explaining the use of menthol as an analgesic. Similar to menthol, both camphor and cinnamaldehyde (initially reported to be specific activators of TRPV3 and TRPA1, respectively) also modulate other thermoTRPs. Therefore, we find that many {"}sensory compounds{"} presumed to be specific have a promiscuous relationship with thermoTRPs.",

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AU - Macpherson, Lindsey J.

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AU - Miyamoto, Takashi

AU - Dubin, Adrienne E.

AU - Patapoutian, Ardem

AU - Story, Gina M.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank H. Hu and T. Earley for the technical assistance. This work was supported by NINDS grants NS046303 and NS04910. A.P. is a Damon Runyon Fellow and a member of the H. Dorris Neurological Research Institute. G.S. is a recipient of an NRSA postdoctoral fellowship from NIH (NS047911).

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More than cool: Promiscuous relationships of menthol and other sensory compounds

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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