Mechanically-Gated Ion Channel Activity[Edit]
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Mechanotransduction relies on the ability of cells to convert mechanical cues, such as stretch or compression, to biochemical signals. One way this occurs is through the activity of mechanically-gated ion channels.
Calcium Ions channels:
Physiologically, calcium ions (Ca2+) serve as important messengers in a range of signaling mechanisms. The effect of calcium influx is however, cell type dependent. In muscle cells, a Ca2+ mediated alteration of the membrane potential will induce contractions, while in neurons voltage gated Ca2+ channels will promote the release of neurotransmitters at the synapse.
From a mechanobiological perspective, Ca2+ ion channels are particularly important as they contribute to embryo development, stem cell differentiation and general mechanosensing processes. In these cases, substrate stiffness or other mechanical properties of the cellular microenvironment are the primary regulators of Ca2+ influx.
However, few ion channels have been confirmed as being mechanically regulated. Piezo1, together with the genetically related Piezo2, are evolutionarily conserved gated ion channels that have been shown to be regulated by mechanical stresses in the plasma membrane [1]. The activity of these mechanically-gated ion channels facilitates the transduction of mechanically activated cationic current in cells [2].
The influence of these proteins is far reaching.