Mice left out in the cold: commentary on the phenotype of TRPM8-nulls
2007
Understanding Cold Sensation Through TRPM8
Commentary
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Richard L Daniels, David D McKemy
Primary Institution: University of Southern California
Hypothesis
Is TRPM8 a physiological transducer of innocuous cool and/or noxious cold?
Conclusion
TRPM8 is the primary transducer of cool temperatures in mammals and plays a significant role in cold sensation and pain.
Supporting Evidence
- Three independent research groups have reported that mice lacking TRPM8 are severely impaired in detecting cold temperatures.
- TRPM8 is activated by temperatures below 26°C and mediates the sensation of both innocuous cool and noxious cold.
- Studies suggest that TRPM8 is involved in cold allodynia and hyperalgesia, indicating its role in pain perception.
Takeaway
Mice without the TRPM8 gene can't feel cold properly, which helps scientists understand how we sense temperature and pain.
Limitations
Differences in experimental protocols make it difficult to compare results across studies.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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