TRP'Ing on QPatch in Multi-Hole Mode

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are non-selective cationic channels that are widely distributed in mammalian tissues. Their specific physiological functions are largely unknown. Proposed functions include responses to pain, temperature, touch, osmolarity, pheromones, and taste. But due to the lack of specific blockers and the full understanding of their mechanisms of activation studies of TRP channels have been difficult and unexpectedly slow.The emergence of automated patch clamp (APC) systems has increased the number of new targets available for ion channel drug development and has augmented throughput.In order to facilitate tests of large compounds libraries on e.g. TRP targets, we have recently developed two multi-hole APC systems: QPatch HTX and QPatch 16X. The multi-hole technology allows the simultaneous recording of 10 cells in parallel per recording site thereby increasing the signal to noise ratio and the success rate.In this study, we have validated several TRP channels for their activation by their appropriate agonist e.g. Menthol, Capsaicin and temperature. We have found that using the QPatch in multi-hole mode significantly increased the volume of electrophysiology data that can be generated. Our results demonstrate that the QPatch multi-hole systems are capable of generating high quality data from a wide range of the channels belonging to the TRP family of receptors.We believe that the combination of high throughput and high quality data in a single system has more than a “transient potential” to advance the understanding of the complex mechanisms of action exhibited by difficult targets such as the TRP channels.