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Project

Pathophysiological relevance of the cholesterol regulation of the chemosensory channel TRPA1

Obesity and related health risks such as developing a cardiovascular disease become a significant public health problem causing thousands deaths annually. Associated with these diseases hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia are commonly treated with statins. However, these cholesterol-lowering drugs do not only block cholesterol synthesis in the liver but in all cells of the body. This induces serious side effects such as neuropathy affecting sensory, motor, or autonomic nerves. Symptoms include alterations of sensory function, muscle weakness, and chronic pain. In particular, one protein TRPA1 is well known to transduce multiple stimuli into excitation in pain-sensing neurons. In this study, we will evaluate effects of statins on TRPA1 expression pattern and pharmacology and underlying molecular action mechanisms.
Date:1 May 2020 →  30 Apr 2021
Keywords:TRPA1, plasma membrane, cholesterol, statins
Disciplines:Molecular physiology