TRPM
TRPM is a family of transient receptor potential ion channels. Functional TRPM channels are believed to form tetramers. The TRPM family consists of eight different channels, TRPM1–TRPM8.
Unlike the TRPC and TRPV sub-families, TRPM subunits do not contain N-terminal ankyrin repeat motifs but, rather, contain entire functional proteins in their C-termini. TRPM6 and TRPM7, for example, contain functional α-kinase segments, which are a type of serine/threonine-specific protein kinase.Permeability and activation
The relative permeability of calcium and magnesium varies widely among TRPM channels.
- TRPM4 and TRPM5 are impermeable to calcium.
- TRPM3, TRPM6 and TRPM7 are highly permeable to both calcium and magnesium.
The mechanism of activation also varies greatly among TRPM channels.
Among the functional responsibilities of the TRPM channels are:
