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Related Concept Videos

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

7.9K
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...
7.9K
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

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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...
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Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

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Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
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Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

Mechanical Protein Functions

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Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force. 
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Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors01:30

Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors

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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,...
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Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

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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:
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects
07:32

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Published on: September 1, 2016

13.2K

The Structural Basis for Sensing by the Piezo1 Protein.

W Li1, N Gao1, M Yang1

  • 1Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Current Topics in Membranes
|July 22, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Mechanotransduction involves cells sensing mechanical forces. The Piezo1 channel

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Structural biology

Background:

  • Mechanotransduction is vital for cellular processes and organ development.
  • Piezo proteins are key mechanically activated ion channels in eukaryotes.
  • Understanding their structure is crucial for elucidating force sensing mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on the structure of the mouse Piezo1 (mPiezo1) channel.
  • To propose potential gating mechanisms for mPiezo1 based on its architecture.

Main Methods:

  • Cryoelectron microscopic single-particle analysis was used to determine the architecture of mPiezo1.
  • Structural analysis focused on the extracellular, transmembrane, and intracellular regions.
Keywords:
Cryo-EMCrystallographyMechanosensitive channelPiezo

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One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
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One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 26, 2026

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07:32

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Published on: September 1, 2016

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One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
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Investigating the Potential of Singly Curved Thin Piezoelectric Transducers for Energy Harvesting and Structural Health Monitoring
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Main Results:

  • mPiezo1 forms a trimeric, propeller-like structure.
  • It possesses a central pore module, peripheral wings, and flexible distal blades.
  • Intracellular beam-like domains support the structure and connect mobile peripheral regions.

Conclusions:

  • The unique propeller-like architecture of mPiezo1 suggests a mechanism for sensing and transducing mechanical force.
  • This structure likely controls ion conductivity in response to mechanical stimuli.
  • Further research into Piezo1 gating mechanisms is warranted.