Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are nonselective cation channels, which are mainly permeable to Ca(2+) and Na(+) but many of them are also permeable to Zn(2+). In a new elegant study, a Zn(2+)-dependent pathway involving the TRP member TRPC6 and α1- as well as β-adrenoceptors (AR) was dissected in rodent myocytes. Norepinephrine-mediated activation of α1-AR induces Zn(2+) influx through TRPC6 channels, which reinforces β-AR-mediated positive inotropy and may help patients with heart failure. This work encourages a closer look at the consequences of Zn(2+) permeation through TRP channels in human health and disease.
Keywords
- Humans
- TRPC6 Cation Channel
- *TRPC Cation Channels
- *Myocardium
- Cations
- Zinc
- Adenylate cyclase
- Cardiomyocyte contraction
- Diacylglycerol
- G-protein coupled receptor kinase interacting protein 1
- Zinc ions
- cAMP
