Temperature-dependent contractility of rat tunica dartos muscle: Contribution of cold, menthol-sensitive TRPM8.

Tunica dartos smooth muscle (TDSM) lies beneath the scrotal skin, and its contraction leads to scrotum wrinkling upon cooling. However, neither the nature of TDSM cold-sensitivity nor the underlying molecular sensors are well understood. Here we have investigated the role of cold/menthol-sensitive TRPM8 channel in TDSM temperature-dependent contractility.

Complex modulation of Ca(v)3.1 T-type calcium channel by nickel.

Nickel is considered to be a selective blocker of low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channel. Recently, the Ni(2+)-binding site with critical histidine-191 (H191) within the extracellular IS3-IS4 domain of the most Ni(2+)-sensitive Cav3.2 T-channel isoform has been identified.