Co-assembly of warm-temperature sensitive TRPV3 and TRPV4 channel complexes with distinct functional properties

Heteromeric assembly of temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels has been suggested to underlie the molecular basis of fine-tuning of temperature detection and chemical sensation. However, whether warm temperature–sensitive TRP vanilloid (TRPV) 3 and TRPV4 channels robustly expressed in the skin can form heteromeric assembly remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that TRPV3 and TRPV4 channels can coassemble into functional heterotetrameric channels with distinct properties. Confocal imaging reveals a colocalization and association of TRPV3 and TRPV4 proteins in cell membrane. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates a strong protein-protein interaction between TRPV3 and TRPV4 subunits from heterogeneously expressed cells or mouse skin tissues through their C termini but not in TRPV3 knockout tissues. Coexpression of TRPV3 and TRPV4 channels yields a heterotetrameric channel complexes characterized by an intermediate single-channel conductance, distinct activation threshold, and pharmacology. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a heterotetrameric assembly of TRPV3 and TRPV4 channels, which may help explain the role of temperature-sensitive TRPV channels in fine-tuning of environmental detection and sensation in the skin.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The coassembly of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 3 and TRPV4 channel complexes increases the functional diversity within the channel subfamily, which may serve as a molecular basis for fine-tuning of environmental detection and temperature sensation in mammals.