When the ion channel is activated, neurons in the hypothalamus may trigger thirst or cause the kidney’s to retain water. (Source: Flickr)
Researchers at Duke University and McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) have identified a protein in the brain that is central to how the brain controls body hydration and temperature (1).
According to Charles Bourque, the lead author and member of the Centre of Research in Neuroscience at RI-MUHC, ΔN-TRPV1 contributes to how the brain detects heat and is able to trigger appropriate physiological responses such as thirst. (1). ΔN-TRPV1 is thought to be critical in balancing the body’s fluids and sodium levels.
Per Bourque, “this protein, which is an ion channel, that regulates the flow of ions across the cell membrane, is thought to play a crucial role in balancing body fluids (water, blood, etc.) and sodium (salts) levels, and changes in its regulation could be involved in linking salt to hypertension, and provoking fluid retention following cardiac failure, sepsis or brain trauma.” (2)
When the ion channel becomes active during dehydration, neurons in the hypothalamus turn on and trigger thirst or release vasopressin, a hormone that promotes the retention of water by the kidneys in order to maintain the body’s fluid balance (2).
Dr. Bourque and his team are researching the brain’s role in osmoregulation, the regulation of salt and water across membranes. The regulation of sodium levels is important in controlling the water content in the body. According to Dr. Bourque, flaws in the body’s water balance is the most common reason for being admitted to the emergency room (2).
Now that the structure of ΔN-TRPV1 is understood, the research team is trying to understand the role the ion channel plays in health problems that stem from defects in sodium regulation. The team hopes to be able to modify the ion channel’s mechanism to prevent and treat such conditions (1).
References:
- Cristian Zaelzer, Pierce Hua, Masha Prager-Khoutorsky, Sorana Ciura, Daniel L. Voisin, Wolfgang Liedtke, Charles W. Bourque. (2015, October 6). ΔN-TRPV1: A Molecular Co-detector of Body Temperature and Osmotic Stress. Cell Reports, 2015; 13 (1): 23. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
- McGill University Health Centre. (2015, October 15). What’s behind your thirst? Discovery advances our understanding of how our brain controls body hydration, temperature. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 18, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151015115748.htm