Direct Gα _q Gating Is the Sole Mechanism for TRPM8 Inhibition Caused by Bradykinin Receptor Activation

Activation of Gα _q-coupled receptors by inflammatory mediators inhibits cold-sensing TRPM8 channels, aggravating pain and inflammation. Both Gα _q and the downstream hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP ₂) inhibit TRPM8. Here, I demonstrate that direct Gα _q gating is essential for both the basal cold sensitivity of TRPM8 and TRPM8 inhibition elicited by bradykinin in sensory neurons. The action of Gα _q depends on binding to three arginine residues in the N terminus of TRPM8. Neutralization of these residues markedly increased sensitivity of the channel to agonist and membrane voltage and completely abolished TRPM8 inhibition by both Gα _q and bradykinin while sparing the channel sensitivity to PIP ₂. Interestingly, the bradykinin receptor B2R also binds to TRPM8, rendering TRPM8 insensitive to PIP ₂ depletion. Furthermore, TRPM8-Gα _q binding impaired Gα _q coupling and signaling to PLCβ-PIP ₂. The crosstalk in the TRPM8-Gα _q-B2R complex thus determines Gα _q gating rather than PIP ₂ as a sole means of TRPM8 inhibition by bradykinin. TRPM8 channels are inhibited by receptors coupled to Gα _q, contributing to pain and inflammation. Zhang reveals Gα _q gating sites on TRPM8 and shows that bradykinin receptor solely uses Gα _q gating sites for TRPM8 inhibition upon activation, while depriving the channel of sensitivity to PIP ₂.