TRP channels.

TRP channels constitute a large superfamily of cation channel forming proteins, all related to the gene product of the transient receptor potential (trp) locus in Drosophila. In mammals, 28 different TRP channel genes have been identified, which exhibit a large variety of functional properties and play diverse cellular and physiological roles. In this article, we provide a brief and systematic summary of expression, function, and (patho)physiological role of the mammalian TRP channels.