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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...
Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors01:30

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G Protein–Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to various stimuli. GPCRs regulate critical physiological pathways and are excellent drug targets for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, or Alzheimer's. Nearly 35% of approved drugs implement their therapeutic effects by selectively interacting with specific GPCRs.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Energy to Drive Translocation01:37

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Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...

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Dextran Labeling and Uptake in Live and Functional Murine Cochlear Hair Cells
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Mechanotransduction gone awry.

Diana E Jaalouk1, Jan Lammerding

  • 1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.

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

Cells use mechanotransduction to sense physical forces, converting them into biochemical signals that regulate cell functions. Disruptions in this process are linked to diseases like cancer and muscular dystrophies.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Cells interact with their physical environment via mechanotransduction.
  • Mechanical forces are translated into biochemical signals.
  • These signals regulate cellular functions and structure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explain the fundamental process of mechanotransduction.
  • To highlight the role of mechanotransduction in cellular functions and homeostasis.
  • To underscore the link between mechanotransduction defects and diseases.

Main Methods:

  • The study is a review of existing literature on mechanotransduction.
  • It synthesizes information on the mechanisms of force sensing and signal transduction.
  • It discusses the implications of mechanotransduction in development and disease.

Main Results:

  • Mechanotransduction involves converting mechanical stimuli into biochemical outputs.
  • This process influences cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
  • Cellular and extracellular structures are modulated by mechanosensitive feedback.

Conclusions:

  • Mechanotransduction is vital for organ development and maintaining homeostasis.
  • Dysfunctional mechanotransduction, due to protein mutations or misregulation, contributes to various diseases.
  • Understanding mechanotransduction is crucial for addressing diseases like muscular dystrophies, cardiomyopathies, and cancer metastasis.