Molecular determinants of TRP channel assembly

Calcium channels play important roles in cellular signalling. TRP (transient receptor potential) channels form a superfamily of calcium channels through which Ca2+ enters the cell. TRPs have six transmembrane segments with a putative pore between the fifth and the sixth segments, and assemble in tetrameric complexes to form functional Ca2+ channels. They are thus similar to KV (voltage-gated potassium channel) channels in terms of structure and molecular determinants that promote subunit assembly. In this review, the molecular determinants mediating the assembly of Drosophila TRP, TRPC (TRP canonical), TRPV (TRP vanilloid) and KV channels are described.