title: Stretch-activated channels: a mini-review. Are stretch-activated channels an ocular barometer?
abstract: All cells are subject to physical forces by virtue of their position in a dynamically changing environment. This review outlines the various putative 'mechanosensors', or sensors of pressure cells possess, and discusses in particular the role stretch-activated membrane channels play in pressure recognition and transduction. The widespread occurrence of these channels is discussed and these 'mechanosensors' are related to pressure-related diseases, in particular, glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Freny B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Kalapesi
authors.forename: James C H
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Minas T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Coroneo
mesh_terms: D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; C503432:KCNK4 protein, human; D015221:Potassium Channels