Expression patterns of TRPM subfamily in immortalized adult rat Schwann cells

Purpose: Transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) subfamily is a non-selective cation channel, playing a key role in physiological functions and diseases of the central nervous system. These channels affect the peripheral nervous system (PNS); however, the expression patterns of the TRPM subfamily are unknown in Schwann cells that constitute the myelin sheath of the PNS. We analyzed the TRPM subfamily expression in immortalized Fischer rat Schwann cells 1 (IFRS1) as mature Schwann cells. Methods: We analyzed the expression of TRPM subfamily genes in IFRS1 cells using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Additionally, the protein expression of TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM7, and TRPM8 was examined by western blotting. Results: We confirmed the expression of TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM7, and TRPM8 in IFRS1 cells. These channels were also expressed at the protein level. Conclusion: We found the expression of TRPM subfamily (i.e., TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM7, and TRPM8) in immortalized adult rat Schwann cells, IFRS1. Therefore, we suggest IFRS1 cells could be one of the tools used for the evaluation of peripheral nerve abnormalities, such as demyelination and temperature hypersensitivity, involved with the TRPM subfamily