Background:

Optovin is an activator of TRPA1 [1].

Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1) is an ion channel that involved in signal transduction and growth control. TRPA1 signaling plays an important role in chronic inflammation and neuropathic pain [1].

Optovin is a photoactivator of TRPA1. In dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons isolated from mice, optovin significantly activated 33% (35/105) of DRG neurons, which was not occured in the dark. In HEK293T cells transfected with the human TRPA1, optovin activated cells. Optovin activated TRPA1 channels through a photoactivated intermediate that reacted with redox-sensitive cysteine residues in the channel [1].

In wild-type zebrafish embryos, optovin increased light-dependent motor activity with EC50 value of 2 μM. Optovin induced zebrafish respond to 387-nm light stimuli. Optovin acted on sensory neurons and was not dependent on visual pathways for the increase of light-dependent motor activity. In zebrafish with trpa1b mutant, optovin didn’t have effect, which suggested trpa1b is necessary for optovin activity. In adult mice, optovin induced head-shaking behaviors [1].

Reference:
[1].  Kokel D, Cheung CY, Mills R, et al. Photochemical activation of TRPA1 channels in neurons and animals. Nat Chem Biol, 2013, 9(4): 257-263.