Mechanotransduction in Caenorhabditis elegans: the role of DEG/ENaC ion channels.
One of the looming mysteries in signal transduction today is the question of how mechanical signals, such as pressure or mechanical force delivered to a cell, are interpreted to direct biological responses. All living organisms, and probably all cells, have the ability to sense and respond to mechanical stimuli. At the single-cell level, mechanical signaling underlies cell-volume control and specialized responses such as the prevention of poly-spermy in fertilization. At the level of the whole organism, mechanotransduction underlies processes as diverse as stretch-activated reflexes in vascular epithelium and smooth muscle; gravitaxis and turgor control in plants; tissue development and morphogenesis; and the senses of touch, hearing, and balance. Intense genetic, molecular, and elecrophysiological studies in organisms ranging from nematodes to mammals have highlighted members of the recently discovered DEG/ENaC family of ion channels as strong candidates for the elusive metazoan mechanotransducer. Here, we discuss the evidence that links DEG/ENaC ion channels to mechanotransduction and review the function of Caenorhabditis elegans members of this family called degenerins and their role in mediating mechanosensitive behaviors in the worm.
Tavernarakis
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Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA. tavernarakis@imbb.forth.gr
Driscoll
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D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D005306:Fertilization; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010802:Phylogeny; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels