Fig. 8

Schematic diagram showing how TRPA1 participates in the function and maturation of mESC-CMs. TPRA1 positively regulates the function and maturation of mESC-CMs via the MKP-1-p38 MAPK-PGC-1α pathway. The functional presence of TRPA1 regulates Ca²⁺ entry across the plasma membrane into the cytosol. On the one hand, the Ca²⁺ directly affects Ca²⁺ handling, electrophysiological properties, and mitochondrial dynamics. On the other hand, the increased Ca²⁺ influx through TRPA1 induces the expression of MKP-1, a Ca²⁺-promoted MAPK suppressor. MKP-1, in turn, reduces the unstrained activation of p38 MAPK, further relieving the inhibition of activated p38 MAPK on PGC-1α. The elevated expression of PGC-1α promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and CM maturation