TRP Channels in Health and Disease

Almost 25 years ago the first mammalian transient receptor potential (TRP) channel was cloned and published. TRP channels now represent an extended family of 28 members fulfilling multiple roles in the living organism. Identified functions include control of body temperature transmitter release mineral homeostasis chemical sensing and survival mechanisms in a challenging environment. The TRP channel superfamily covers six families: TRPC with C for canonical TRPA with A for ankyrin TRPM with M for melastatin TRPML with ML for mucolipidin TRPP with P for polycystin and TRPV with V for vanilloid. Over the last few years new findings on TRP channels have confirmed their exceptional function as cellular sensors and effectors. This Special Book features a collection of 8 reviews and 7 original articles published in Cells summarizing the current state-of-the-art on TRP channel research with a main focus on TRP channel activation their physiological and pathophysiological function and their roles as pharmacological targets for future therapeutic options.