On extension of the structure of the temperature transduction model in peripheral thermoreceptors

Abstract

We examine the hypothesis for mechanisms of temperature transduction in peripheral thermoreceptors and the question of their similarity or specificity in comparison with analogous mechanisms in thermosensitive neurons. The mechanisms are analyzed on the basis of the data obtained for both of the objects on the assumption that transduction mechanisms in thermoreceptors and thermosensitive neurons are similar. A correlation between the data enables us to suppose that among the processes of the cytoplasmic membrane (the Na + -K + pump and ionic channels) the mechanisms of active and passive transport through the endoplasmic reticulum membrane take part in temperature transduction. We describe the mathematical model including all the mechanisms and examine the question of the possibility to identify its parameters.