Editorial: Involvements of TRP Channels, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Abstract

The oxygen free radicals generated during metabolism can cause cumulative oxidative damage to nucleic acids , lipids , and protein , resulting in structural degeneration, apoptosis , functional decline, and age-related degenerative diseases involving the cardiovascular, endocrine, neurologic, immune, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems . The transient receptor potential (TRP) protein superfamily is composed of several cation -permeable channels that are widely distributed in mammalian cells . TRP channels can be divided into six subfamilies that are dependent on their sequence identity. These channels play a crucial role in the regulation of oxidative stress and should be considered as likely targets for the treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases associated with chronic oxidative stress , decreases in metabolic regulation , and cell viability .