Role of membrane-tension gated Ca 2+ flux in cell mechanosensation

Lijuan He, Jiaxiang Tao, Debonil Maity, Fangwei Si, Yi Wu, Tiffany Wu, Vishnu Prasath, Denis Wirtz, Sean X. Sun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eukaryotic cells are sensitive to mechanical forces they experience from the environment. The process of mechanosensation is complex, and involves elements such as the cytoskeleton and active contraction from myosin motors. Ultimately, mechanosensation is connected to changes in gene expression in the cell, known as mechanotransduction. While the involvement of the cytoskeleton in mechanosensation is known, the processes upstream of cytoskeletal changes are unclear. In this paper, by using a microfluidic device that mechanically compresses live cells, we demonstrate that Ca 2+ currents and membrane tension-sensitive ion channels directly signal to the Rho GTPase and myosin contraction. In response to membrane tension changes, cells actively regulate cortical myosin contraction to balance external forces. The process is captured by a mechanochemical model where membrane tension, myosin contraction and the osmotic pressure difference between the cytoplasm and extracellular environment are connected by mechanical force balance. Finally, to complete the picture of mechanotransduction, we find that the tension-sensitive transcription factor YAP family of proteins translocate from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to mechanical compression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberjcs208470
JournalJournal of cell science
Volume131
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2018

Keywords

  • Ca channels
  • Cell cortex
  • Mechanosensation
  • Tension-activated channel

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Role of membrane-tension gated Ca 2+ flux in cell mechanosensation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this