Chubanov Lab

Head of lab

Vladimir Chubanov, PhD

TRPM channels in health and disease

The regulation of cytoplasmic levels of divalent cations and their distribution across intracellular organelles is tightly controlled by various channels and transporters, disruptions of which often cause human diseases. The melastatin-related TRP channel family, consisting of eight mammalian members (TRPM1-8), plays a vital role in these processes.

TRPM1 and TRPM3 are channels permeable to Ca2+ and Zn2+ regulated by neuroactive steroids that have crucial roles in ON-bipolar neurons of the retina, dorsal root ganglia neurons and melanocytes. TRPM4 and TRPM5 are Ca2+-activated monovalent cation channels that influence the excitability of neurons and cardiomyocytes and control the chemosensory activity of taste receptor cells and chemosensory tuft cells. TRPM2 and TRPM8 are non-selective cation channels. TRPM2 mediates ADP-ribose and reactive oxygen species signalling in neurons, immunocytes and epithelial cells, whereas TRPM8 is a cold-sensing channel that regulates organismal thermal responses.

TRPM6 and TRPM7 are bifunctional kinase-coupled channels that control cellular and body homeostasis of Zn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+. In addition, TRPM6 and TRPM7 regulate other physiological functions of the cardiovascular system, brain, endocrine and immune cells. TRPM6 and TRPM7 are structurally distinguished from other channels by their fusion to α-kinase domains. Genetic mutations in TRPM6 and TRPM7 genes have been linked to inherited diseases, highlighting these channels as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Our group conducts interdisciplinary studies to provide a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of TRPM6 and TRPM7 and their pathophysiological relevance in human health and disease.

Publications

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=chubanov+v&sort=date