BACKGROUND: Mechanoreceptors contain compliant elements, termed "gating springs," that transfer macroscopic stimuli impinging on the cells into microscopic stimuli that open the mechanosensitive channels. Evidence for gating springs comes from mechanical experiments; they have not been identified molecularly or ultrastructurally. RESULTS: We show that the filamentous structures that connect the plasma membrane to the microtubules are compliant structural elements in the mechanoreceptive organelle of fly campaniform receptors. These filaments colocalize with the ankyrin-repeat domain of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel NOMPC. In addition, they resemble the purified ankyrin-repeat domain in size and shape. Most importantly, these filaments are nearly absent in nompC mutants and can be rescued by the nompC gene. Finally, mechanical modeling suggests that the filaments provide most of the compliance in the distal tip of the cell, thought to be the site of mechanotransduction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide strong evidence that the ankyrin-repeat domains of NOMPC structurally contribute to the membrane-microtubule connecting filaments. These filaments, as the most compliant element in the distal tip, are therefore good candidates for the gating springs.
BACKGROUND: Mechanoreceptors contain compliant elements, termed "gating springs," that transfer macroscopic stimuli impinging on the cells into microscopic stimuli that open the mechanosensitive channels. Evidence for gating springs comes from mechanical experiments; they have not been identified molecularly or ultrastructurally. RESULTS: We show that the filamentous structures that connect the plasma membrane to the microtubules are compliant structural elements in the mechanoreceptive organelle of fly campaniform receptors. These filaments colocalize with the ankyrin-repeat domain of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel NOMPC. In addition, they resemble the purified ankyrin-repeat domain in size and shape. Most importantly, these filaments are nearly absent in nompC mutants and can be rescued by the nompC gene. Finally, mechanical modeling suggests that the filaments provide most of the compliance in the distal tip of the cell, thought to be the site of mechanotransduction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide strong evidence that the ankyrin-repeat domains of NOMPC structurally contribute to the membrane-microtubule connecting filaments. These filaments, as the most compliant element in the distal tip, are therefore good candidates for the gating springs.
Authors: Amy L Eastwood; Alessandro Sanzeni; Bryan C Petzold; Sung-Jin Park; Massimo Vergassola; Beth L Pruitt; Miriam B Goodman Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2015-12-01 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Shufeng Li; Bradley W Tuft; Linjing Xu; Marc A Polacco; Joseph C Clarke; C Allan Guymon; Marlan R Hansen Journal: Biomaterials Date: 2015-03-12 Impact factor: 12.479
Authors: Connie Yan; Fei Wang; Yun Peng; Claire R Williams; Brian Jenkins; Jill Wildonger; Hyeon-Jin Kim; Jonathan B Perr; Joshua C Vaughan; Megan E Kern; Michael R Falvo; E Timothy O'Brien; Richard Superfine; John C Tuthill; Yang Xiang; Stephen L Rogers; Jay Z Parrish Journal: Cell Rep Date: 2018-10-23 Impact factor: 9.423