TREK-1 is a heat-activated background K+ channel

• Published in: The EMBO journal 2000-06, Vol.19 (11), p.2483-2491
• Main Authors: Maingret, François, Lauritzen, Inger, Patel, Amanda J., Heurteaux, Catherine, Reyes, Roberto, Lesage, Florian, Lazdunski, Michel, Honoré, Eric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2P domain K+ channels; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Body temperature; Chlorocebus aethiops; COS Cells; Cyclic AMP - pharmacology; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases - physiology; Dinoprostone - pharmacology; DRG neurons; Fibers; Ganglia, Spinal - chemistry; Hot Temperature; hypothalamus; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Ion Channel Gating; Ion Transport; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Nerve Tissue Proteins - drug effects; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - immunology; Nerve Tissue Proteins - physiology; Oocytes; Potassium - metabolism; Potassium Channels - drug effects; Potassium Channels - genetics; Potassium Channels - immunology; Potassium Channels - physiology; Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain; Rabbits; Rats; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - physiology; Signal Transduction; thermoreceptors; Thermoreceptors - drug effects; Thermoreceptors - physiology; Xenopus laevis
• ISSN: 0261-4189; 1460-2075; 1460-2075
• DOI: 10.1093/emboj/19.11.2483

Peripheral and central thermoreceptors are involved in sensing ambient and body temperature, respectively. Specialized cold and warm receptors are present in dorsal root ganglion sensory fibres as well as in the anterior/preoptic hypothalamus. The two‐pore domain mechano‐gated K + channel TREK‐1 is highly expressed within these areas. Moreover, TREK‐1 is opened gradually and reversibly by heat. A 10°C rise enhances TREK‐1 current amplitude by ∼7‐fold. Prostaglandin E2 and cAMP, which are strong sensitizers of peripheral and central thermoreceptors, reverse the thermal opening of TREK‐1 via protein kinase A‐mediated phosphorylation of Ser333. Expression of TREK‐1 in peripheral sensory neurons as well as in central hypothalamic neurons makes this K + channel an ideal candidate as a physiological thermoreceptor.