Kewei Wang’s group identified defined region in transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 4 (TRPV4) that plays critical role in channel protein folding, maturation and channel function. The Ca2+-permeable transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 4 (TRPV4) channel mediates crucial physiological functions such as calcium signaling, temperature sensing, and maintaining cell volume and energy homeostasis. Genetic analysis revealed that most naturally occurring TRPV4 mutations that lead to human diseases such as metatropic dysplasia are located in the cytoplasmic domains. The identified region in the C-terminus from this study may have important implications for fundamental understanding of channel physiology and TRPV4-activity related diseases.

Lei, L., Cao, X., Yang, F., Shi, D.J., Tang, Y.Q., Zheng, J., and Wang, K.(2013). A TRPV4 Channel C-terminal Folding Recognition Domain Critical for Trafficking and Function . J Bi ol Chem 288:10427-10439.