Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

2.7K
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...
2.7K
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

3.2K
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...
3.2K
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

8.0K
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
8.0K
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

6.6K
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...
6.6K
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

5.8K
5.8K
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

2.7K
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
2.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A queen odour mediates reproductive suppression in a eusocial mammal.

Nature·2026
Same author

Cryo-EM structure of the naked mole-rat ribosome reveals a stabilized split 28S rRNA.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Deep visual proteomics uncovers nociceptor diversity and pain targets.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Compressive stress-driven Piezo1 activation and Rho-ROCK mechanotransduction promote tumor progression via epigenetic mechanical memory.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Mechanically gated currents in mouse sensory neurons lacking PIEZO2.

Biophysical journal·2025
Same author

Cluster nanoarchitecture and structural diversity of PIEZO1 at rest and during activation in intact cells.

Science advances·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 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

7.7K

Sensory mechanotransduction at membrane-matrix interfaces.

Kate Poole1, Mirko Moroni, Gary R Lewin

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle Straße 10, D-13092, Berlin, Germany.

Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|July 2, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Mechanosensitive channels, crucial for touch and hearing, are anchored to the extracellular matrix. New methods quantify their activation, revealing high tuning to cell membrane movement relative to the ECM.

More Related Videos

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads
07:55

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads

Published on: March 8, 2017

8.0K
Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy
09:20

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 4, 2010

10.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 27, 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

7.7K
Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads
07:55

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads

Published on: March 8, 2017

8.0K
Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy
09:20

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 4, 2010

10.8K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Mechanosensitive channels are vital for mechanoelectrical transduction in auditory and somatosensory systems.
  • These channels are essential for senses like touch, hearing, and mechanical pain perception.
  • Mechanosensitive channels are often found in transmembrane complexes anchored to extracellular matrix (ECM) components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review methods for measuring mechanosensitive channel activation in a physiological context.
  • To investigate the role of transmembrane complexes and their anchoring to the ECM in channel function.
  • To characterize the integral membrane scaffold protein STOML3 as a regulator of mechanosensitive currents.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a novel electrophysiological method for quantifying mechanosensitive currents.
  • Activation of channels via defined matrix movement in cultured cells.
  • In vitro and in vivo studies of transmembrane complexes anchored to ECM components.

Main Results:

  • The developed method allows quantification of mechanosensitive current amplitude and kinetics.
  • Results support the hypothesis that mechanosensitive channels are part of transmembrane complexes.
  • These complexes are anchored to the extracellular matrix, influencing channel activity.

Conclusions:

  • Mechanosensitive channels within transmembrane complexes are highly tuned to detect cell membrane movement relative to the ECM.
  • STOML3 is a key regulator of native mechanosensitive currents in sensory neurons.
  • The findings provide a deeper understanding of mechanoelectrical transduction mechanisms.