mechanoszenzitív

Mechanosensitive refers to a type of ion channel that opens or closes in response to mechanical stress or deformation applied to the cell membrane. These channels play a crucial role in a wide range of physiological processes by converting physical forces into electrical signals. When a cell membrane is stretched, compressed, or distorted, the physical stress is transduced by the mechanosensitive channel, leading to a change in its conformation and subsequently altering its ion permeability. This change in ion flow can generate or modulate an electrical potential across the membrane, influencing cellular activity.

Mechanosensitive channels are found in virtually all organisms, from bacteria to mammals, and are involved in functions such as touch sensation, hearing, proprioception (sense of body position), blood pressure regulation, and cell volume control. For example, in the auditory system, mechanosensitive channels in hair cells of the inner ear convert sound vibrations into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain. In the cardiovascular system, they help sense and respond to changes in blood pressure. Different types of mechanosensitive channels exist, varying in their specific properties and the types of mechanical stimuli they respond to, as well as the ions they conduct. Their widespread presence and diverse functions highlight their fundamental importance in cellular mechanotransduction.