Transient receptor potential cation channel, member A1

Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1, also known as TRPA1, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TRPA1 (and in other species by the Trpa1) gene.

TRPA1 is an ion channel located on the plasma membrane of many human and animal cells. This ion channel is best known as a sensor for environmental irritants giving rise to somatosensory modalities such as pain, cold and itch.

Function

TRPA1 is a member of the transient receptor potential channel family. TRPA1 contains 14 N-terminal ankyrin repeats and is believed to function as a mechanical and chemical stress sensor. The specific function of this protein has not yet been determined; however, studies indicate that the function may involve a role in signal transduction and growth control.

Recent studies indicate that TRPA1 is activated by a number of reactive (allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamaldehyde, farnesyl thiosalicylic acid, formalin, hydrogen peroxide, 4-hydroxynonenal, acrolein, and tear gases) and non-reactive compounds (nicotine,PF-4840154) and considered as a 'chemosensor' in the body. TRPA1 is considered as an attractive pain target based on the fact that TRPA1 knockout mice showed near complete attenuation of formalin-induced pain behaviors. TRPA1 antagonists are effective in blocking pain behaviors induced by inflammation (complete Freund's adjuvant and formalin).