Thermal Excitation of the Mechanotransduction Apparatus of Hair Cells.
Neuron
; 97(3): 586-595.e4, 2018 02 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29395911
ABSTRACT
Although a hair bundle is normally deflected by mechanical stimuli, we found that irradiation of a hair cell from the bullfrog's sacculus with ultraviolet light causes rapid motion of the hair bundle toward its tall edge. This movement is associated with opening of mechanotransduction channels and disappears when tip links are disrupted. We localized the absorptive element responsible for the motion to the region directly below the hair bundle and measured an action spectrum similar to the absorption spectra of mitochondrial constituents. Temperature measurements revealed heating around the site of absorption; direct heating of the hair bundle confirmed that the response to light is mediated through heat. Although mechanical offsets of the hair bundle revealed that heat softens gating springs, it also acts directly to open transduction channels. This study identifies an unconventional method of hair-cell stimulation and clarifies the previously unexplained sensitivity of auditory organs to thermal stimulation.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Raios Ultravioleta
/
Mecanotransdução Celular
/
Células Ciliadas Auditivas
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article