Evolutionary dynamics of metazoan TRP channels

Abstract

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are unusual among cation channels because of their diverse cation selectivities and activation mechanisms. TRP channels thus play major roles in various sensory perceptions by functioning as multimodal signal integrators. Some TRP subfamily members are also implicated in acute and chronic pain and inflammation. So far, most TRP channel studies have been targeted to human and model organisms within a limited evolutionary context. Classification of TRP channels in various animal genomes has revealed extensive gene gain and loss events across animal species. Furthermore, the chemical activation profiles of some orthologous TRP channels were different between species such as human and mouse. Amino acid substitutions must underlie such differences, and the crucial amino acid residues have been identified in some cases. These changes represent the evolution of TRP channels at the amino acid sequence level. There is also evidence that TRP channels have obtained species-diversity through alternative splicing and possibly cis-regulatory element mutations. All of the above demonstrate the dynamic and plastic evolutionary history of metazoan TRP channels at multiple levels, possibly in conjunction with the specific habitats and life histories of individual species.

Isoform-specific modulation of the chemical sensitivity of conserved TRPA1 channel in the major honeybee ectoparasitic mite, Tropilaelaps mercedesae

“…This is consistent with the species-dependent temperature/chemical activation of vertebrate TRPA1 channels [ 38 – 41 ]. These results led us to hypothesize that amino acid substitutions in TRPA1 would be often driven by adaptive evolution to adjust the physiological functions in association with different specific habitats and life histories of the respective animal species [ 42 ]. Amino acid sequences of TmTRPA1b and VdTRPA1 L share 87% identity and 92% similarity, and there are no differences in their channel properties as far as we tested.…”

Plant-Derived Tick Repellents Activate the Honey Bee Ectoparasitic Mite TRPA1

“…For example, the TRPA1 gene is absent in Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants), Daphnia pulex (water flea), and Tetranychus urticae (spider mite), but it is expanded in Amphimedon queenslandica (sponge) and Strigamia maritima (centipede) (Matsuura et al, 2009;Peng et al, 2015). Thus, the evolution of metazoan TRPA1 is plastic at both gene copy number and amino acid sequence levels (Kadowaki, 2015).…”

TRPA1 Channels in Drosophila and Honey Bee Ectoparasitic Mites Share Heat Sensitivity and Temperature-Related Physiological Functions

“…Nevertheless, there is evidence that suggests evolutionary plasticity and dynamics of metazoan TRP channels at multiple levels. This has been shown by gene gain and loss, amino acid substitutions, and transcription and pre-mRNA splicing (Kadowaki, 2015 ). Thus, in contrast to several conserved cation channels, such as K + channels, TRP channels have undergone more rapid evolution (Kadowaki, 2015 ; Saito and Tominaga, 2015 ).…”

“…This has been shown by gene gain and loss, amino acid substitutions, and transcription and pre-mRNA splicing (Kadowaki, 2015 ). Thus, in contrast to several conserved cation channels, such as K + channels, TRP channels have undergone more rapid evolution (Kadowaki, 2015 ; Saito and Tominaga, 2015 ). TRP channels appear to be under more relaxed conditions since they are only expressed in subsets of neurons and cells.…”