Molecular Determinants for the Chemical Activation of the Warmth-Sensitive TRPV3 Channel by the Natural Monoterpenoid Carvacrol

The study investigated how carvacrol, a natural compound found in oregano, activated the TRPV3 channel, which is involved in skin functions and hair growth. Carvacrol activated TRPV3 in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 0.2 mM by increasing the channel's open probability. Researchers identified a critical binding pocket in the S2-S3 linker of TRPV3, with Leu508 being essential for activation by carvacrol. These findings suggested that carvacrol could be used to design specific TRPV3 modulators, potentially aiding in the treatment of skin-related diseases.