Newly emerging Ca2+ entry channel molecules that regulate the vascular tone

Local blood flow is critically determined by the arterial tone in which sustained Ca(2+) influx, activated by a variety of mechanisms, plays a central regulatory role. Recent progress in molecular biological research has disclosed unexpectedly diverse and complex facets of Ca(2+) entry channel molecules involved in this Ca(2+) influx. Candidates include several transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily members such as TRPC1, TRPC4, TRPC6, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPM4, none of which exhibit simple properties attributable to a single particular role. Rather, they appear to be multimodally activated or modulated by receptor stimulation, temperature, mechanical stress or lipid second messengers generated from various sources, and may be involved in both acute vasomotor control and long-term vascular remodelling. This paper provides an overview of existing knowledge of TRP proteins, and their possible relationships with principal factors regulating the arterial tone (i.e., autonomic nerves, various autocrine and paracrine factors, and intravascular pressure).