Channels
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TRPA1 is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel family, and is predominantly expressed in nociceptive neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia. Activation of TRPA1 by environmental irritants such as mustard oil, allicin and acrolein causes acute pain. However, the endogenous ligands that directly activate TRPA1 remain elusive in inflammation. ⋯ In TRPA1 responses to other cysteine-reactive inflammatory mediators, such as NO and H(2)O(2), the extent of impairment by respective cysteine mutations differed from those in TRPA1 responses to 15d-PGJ(2). Interestingly, the Cys421 mutation critically impaired the TRPA1 response to H(+) as well. Our findings suggest that TRPA1 channels are targeted by an array of inflammatory mediators to elicit inflammatory pain in the nervous system.