mechanostat
A mechanostat is a type of biological sensor that responds to mechanical forces, such as pressure, tension, or strain, and regulates cellular processes accordingly. These sensors play a crucial role in various physiological functions, including cell growth, differentiation, and tissue homeostasis. Mechanostats are typically composed of membrane-spanning proteins that transduce mechanical signals into biochemical signals, which then activate downstream pathways.
One well-studied mechanostat is the Piezo protein, which is activated by membrane stretch and plays a role
Mechanostats are involved in numerous physiological processes, including wound healing, tissue repair, and cancer progression. For
Research on mechanostats is an active area of study, with ongoing efforts to elucidate their molecular mechanisms