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Related Concept Videos

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

Sensory Functions of the Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers01:24

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
Elastin is Responsible for Tissue Elasticity01:12

Elastin is Responsible for Tissue Elasticity

Elastic fiber contains the protein elastin along with lesser amounts of other proteins and glycoproteins. The main property of elastin is that it will return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed. Elastic fibers are prominent in elastic tissues found in skin and the elastic ligaments of the vertebral column.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro
09:50

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro

Published on: August 27, 2015

Understanding sensory nerve mechanotransduction through localized elastomeric matrix control.

Yi-Wen Lin1, Chao-Min Cheng, Philip R Leduc

  • 1Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.

Plos One
|January 29, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Sensory neurons respond to mechanical forces through cell architecture, not ion channels. Disrupting microtubules or actin filaments blocks this stretch-activated mechanotransduction response.

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro
09:50

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro

Published on: August 27, 2015

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Published on: June 2, 2020

An Optimized O9-1/Hydrogel System for Studying Mechanical Signals in Neural Crest Cells
11:02

An Optimized O9-1/Hydrogel System for Studying Mechanical Signals in Neural Crest Cells

Published on: August 13, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Neural systems respond to chemical and electrical stimuli, but mechanical effects are poorly understood.
  • Cellular response is linked to cell-matrix interactions, necessitating better methods to study mechanics.
  • Investigating mechanotransduction in sensory neurons requires novel approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate stretch-activated mechanotransduction in sensory neuron nerve terminals.
  • To develop and utilize a novel method for applying mechanical force to neurons.
  • To understand the role of cell architecture in neuronal mechanosensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons on elastomeric substrates (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) coated with extracellular matrices (ECM).
  • Applied mechanical force to individual neurites using a controlled glass pipette indentation scheme.
  • Recorded stretch-activated action potentials using whole-cell patch clamping.

Main Results:

  • Mechanical force applied through ECM induced significant neuronal action potential responses.
  • Disruption of microtubules (nocodozale) or actin filaments (cytochalasin-D) abrogated mechanically induced action potentials.
  • Blocking ion channels (TRP, ASIC, stretch-activated) had minimal effect on the mechanotransduction response.

Conclusions:

  • Sensory nerve terminals exhibit a specific mechanosensitive response.
  • This response is intrinsically linked to the cell's internal architecture.
  • Mechanotransduction in these neurons is primarily mediated by cytoskeletal elements rather than specific ion channels.