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Mechanosensitivity of cell membranes

Ion channels, lipid matrix and cytoskeleton

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Abstract

Physical and biophysical mechanisms of mechano-sensitivity of cell membranes are reviewed. The possible roles of the lipid matrix and of the cytoskeleton in membrane mechanoreception are discussed. Techniques for generation of static strains and dynamic curvatures of membrane patches are considered. A unified model for stress-activated and stress-inactivated ion channels under static strains is described. A review of work on stress-sensitive pores in lipid-peptide model membranes is presented. The possible role of flexoelectricity in mechano-electric transduction, e.g. in auditory receptors is discussed. Studies of flexoelectricity in model lipid membranes, lipid-peptide membranes and natural membranes containing ion channels are reviewed. Finally, possible applications in molecular electronics of mechanosensors employing some of the recognized principles of mechano-electric transduction in natural membranes are discussed.

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Abbreviations

BLM:

Layer lipid membrane

SAC:

stress-activated channel

SIC:

stress-inactivated channel

MCYST:

microcystin-LR

DPhL:

diphytanoyl lecithin

CME:

condenser microphone effect

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomolecular Layers Department, Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 72 Tzarigradsko chaussee, BG-1784, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Alexander G. Petrov

  2. Department of Life Science, Nottingham University, University Park, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK

    Peter N. R. Usherwood

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  1. Alexander G. Petrov
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  2. Peter N. R. Usherwood
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Dedicated to Professor Alexander Derzhanski on the occasion of his 60th birthday

Correspondence to: A. G. Petrov

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Petrov, A.G., Usherwood, P.N.R. Mechanosensitivity of cell membranes. Eur Biophys J 23, 1–19 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192201

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