Ion channels activate by sensing stimuli such as membrane voltage, ligand binding or
temperature and transduce this information into conformational changes that open the
channel pore. Thus, a key question in understanding ion channel function is how do the
protein domains involved in sensing stimuli (sensors) and opening the pore (gates)
communicate. In this regard, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that confer
thermosensation [A. Dhaka, V. Viswanath, A. Patapoutian, TRP ion channels and …