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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
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...
Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System01:11

Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System

The somatosensory system is the central and peripheral nervous system component that senses and processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position or proprioception. The process of sensation takes place at three levels:
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...

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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

Neurosensory mechanotransduction.

Martin Chalfie1

  • 1Columbia University, Department of Biological Sciences, 1012 Fairchild Center, M.C. 2446, New York, New York 10027, USA. mc21@columbia.edu

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|February 7, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists are identifying the specific proteins responsible for converting mechanical signals into touch, sound, and acceleration senses. Understanding these mechanotransduction proteins is key to unlocking how our bodies perceive physical stimuli.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Neurons detecting touch, sound, and acceleration react quickly to mechanical stimuli.
  • The specific proteins (mechanotransduction molecules) responsible for this signal conversion remain largely unidentified.
  • Research has implicated three families of ion channel proteins as potential candidates for mechanical signal transduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize candidate mechanotransduction proteins.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which these proteins are gated by mechanical force.
  • To discover novel molecules involved in mechanical sensory perception.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of candidate ion channel families.
  • Biophysical techniques to study mechanical gating.
  • Screening for new molecules involved in mechanosensation.

Main Results:

  • Ongoing research focuses on identifying and characterizing key mechanotransduction proteins.
  • Studies aim to understand the precise molecular mechanisms of mechanical gating.
  • Efforts are underway to discover previously unknown molecules essential for mechanical sensing.

Conclusions:

  • Identifying mechanotransduction proteins is crucial for understanding sensory perception.
  • Further research is needed to fully characterize these proteins and their roles.
  • This field holds promise for discovering new therapeutic targets for sensory disorders.