Protein Interactions Required for the Function of a Candidate Mechanosensory Ion Channel

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IBN-9511710 Driscoll, Monica A. All living organisms have the ability to sense and respond to mechanical stimuli. Mechanotransduction is critical to such diverse processes as hearing, touch and gravitaxis in plants and animals. Mechanotransduction in all species studied to date appears to be mediated by ion channels that open or close in response to mechanical stimuli. The genes encoding these channels have been identified but an examination of the subunit structures, composition and assembly has yet to be undertaken. Dr. Driscoll has been instrumental in identifying these novel channels in a simple biological model system and she proposes to continue her studies with these interesting proteins. In the proposed studies, she will determine how these channels assembled and which subunits are linked together into functional units. Additionally, since tension must be applied to the channel for it to open or close, the implication is that it is somehow anchored into the cell. Further studies will identify the normal constituents of the cellular skeleton that serve as the anchor point for these channels. Through these studies, Dr. Driscoll will gain unique insights into the biochemical nature of the mechanisms by which cellular distention is involved in changing cellular function. In addition, since mechanical forces are involved in changing cellular function in mammals as well as simple organisms, new insights may be gained about the mechanisms in which sonic or tactile information are transduced in humans thereby opening new avenues of clinical significance.