Abstract
Cell membranes hold an array of receptors and sensors to perceive environmental cues and translate them into intracellular signals. Lipid components play a crucial role, serving not only as a scaffold for receptors but also as essential intracellular signaling molecules. Signaling cascades involving receptors and lipids are fundamental to numerous biological reactions. Nowadays, the concept of ‘multimodal functions’ of receptors has gained attentions, especially following a discovery of thermo–sensitive TRP channels. Recently, I identified new lipid metabolites acting as a regulator of TRP channels downstream of light–activated rhodopsins in Drosophila. Moreover, these cascades from rhodopsins to TRP channels were found to function in both thermosensory neurons and taste neurons, indicating that their diverse roles in various cellular contexts. In this review, I will delve into the physiological functions of rhodopsins, lipid components, and TRP channels, highlighting the potential significance of the multimodality of sensory molecules.
