TRP Channels and Pain

This chapter summarizes the most relevant findings related to the transient receptor potential ankyrin (TRPA), transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM), and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) subfamilies in nociception and their importance in pain development and maintenance. It reviews experimental evidence involving some transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels as molecular sensors of chemical, thermal, and mechanical noxious stimuli to produce pain sensation. Pain is one of the primary responses developed by our body to protect from harm. The TRPA1 channel transduces noxious chemical signals because it is activated by the presence of exogenous irritant compounds and by endogenous compounds produced during tissue damage or neurogenic inflammation. The nociceptive effects of the aforementioned stimuli have been confirmed through the use of the TRPA1 knockout mouse. TRPM2 is a member of the melastatin-related transient receptor potential ion channel subfamily associated to inflammatory and neuropathic pain perception.