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Related Concept Videos

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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...
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The resting membrane potential of a neuron (-70mV) is sustained due to the selective ion permeability of the membrane. At the resting potential, the membrane is slightly permeable to ions like sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) and highly permeable to potassium ions (K+). Differences in the ions' concentration inside the cell compared to the outside are maintained by membrane transport proteins like channels and pumps.
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The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
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Membrane potential mediates the cellular response to mechanical pressure.

Avik Mukherjee1, Yanqing Huang1, Jens Elgeti2

  • 1Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

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|December 3, 2025
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Summary

Cellular response to mechanical forces is mediated by membrane potential. Changes in mechanical pressure alter cell biomass density, affecting membrane potential, which then controls cell growth, proliferation, and elimination, maintaining tissue homeostasis.

Keywords:
HippoYAPbiomass densitygrowth controlmapkmechanotransductionmembrane potentialtissue homeostasis

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Mechanical forces are known to influence cellular behavior, including growth, differentiation, and death.
  • Alterations in resting membrane potential are associated with various cellular processes like development, regeneration, and cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of membrane potential as a mediator of cellular responses to mechanical pressure.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which mechanical forces affect cellular decisions.

Main Methods:

  • Quantifying changes in cellular biomass density under mechanical pressure.
  • Measuring alterations in membrane potential in response to mechanical stimuli.
  • Analyzing the impact of membrane potential on cell growth, proliferation, and elimination in epithelial tissues.
  • Investigating signaling pathways, including Hippo and MAPK, regulated by membrane potential.

Main Results:

  • Mechanical forces alter cellular biomass density, which in turn modifies membrane potential.
  • Membrane potential regulates cell number density in epithelia by controlling cell growth, proliferation, and elimination.
  • Changes in membrane potential modulate signaling through the Hippo and MAPK pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Membrane potential is a key mediator of cellular responses to mechanical forces.
  • Membrane potential plays a crucial role in regulating tissue homeostasis.
  • This study identifies membrane potential as an upstream regulator of the Hippo pathway.