Drosophila mechanotransduction - Linking proteins and functions

作者：Albert Joerg T^*; Nadrowksi Bjoern; Goepfert Martin C

来源：Fly, 2007, 1(4): 238-241.

• biophysics
• chordotonal organ
• gating spring model
• insect hearing
• ion channel
• auditory transducer

The sensation of touch, gravity, and sound all rely on dedicated ion channels that transduce mechanical stimulus forces into electrical signals. The functional workings and molecular identities of these mechanotransducer channels are little understood. Recent work shows that the mechanotransducers for fly and vertebrate hearing share equivalent gating mechanisms, whereby this mechanism can be probed non-invasively in the mechanics of the Drosophila ear. Here, we describe how this mechanics can be used to evaluate the roles of identified proteins in the process of mechanosensation and, specifically, their contributions to mechanotransduction.

• 出版日期2007-8