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Related Experiment Videos

Connexins are mechanosensitive.

Li Bao1, Frederick Sachs, Gerhard Dahl

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.

American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|October 12, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Connexin 46 (Cx46) hemichannels in the ocular lens are mechanosensitive, opening under negative potentials and closing under positive potentials when stressed. This suggests a role in lens accommodation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Connexins form gap junctions for cell-to-cell communication.
  • Lens connexins, such as Cx46, can form hemichannels in nonjunctional membranes.
  • The physiological role of connexin hemichannels, particularly in the lens, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanosensitivity of Cx46 hemichannels.
  • To determine the functional implications of Cx46 hemichannel mechanosensitivity in the ocular lens.

Main Methods:

  • Single-channel electrophysiology
  • Whole-cell electrophysiological studies
  • Investigating Cx46 hemichannel gating under mechanical stress

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Cx46 hemichannels exhibit bipolar mechanosensitivity.
  • Mechanical stress opens Cx46 hemichannels at negative potentials.
  • Mechanical stress closes Cx46 hemichannels at positive potentials.

Conclusions:

  • Cx46 hemichannels are mechanosensitive ion channels.
  • This mechanosensitivity may facilitate ocular lens accommodation by regulating volume flow.
  • Cx46 hemichannels could play a role in adapting lens shape during accommodation.