Targeting TRPs in neurodegenerative disorders

Curr Top Med Chem. 2013;13(3):322-34. doi: 10.2174/1568026611313030009.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis present a significant medical challenge in the modern world. Recent evidence indicates that perturbation of neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis is involved in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative disorders. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are non-selective cation channels that are expressed in various cell types and tissues, and play an important role in regulating Ca2+ signaling in both non-neuronal and neuronal cells. TRP channels are related to the onset or progression of several diseases, and defects in the genes encoding TRP channels (so-called "TRP channelopathies") underlie certain neurodegenerative disorders due to their abnormal Ca2+ signaling properties. In this article, we review recent findings regarding the relationship between TRPs and neurodegenerative disorders, and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting TRP channels pharmacologically.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels
  • Calcium