Mechanotransduction in hippocampal neurons operates under localized low picoNewton forces.

ABSTRACT: There is growing evidence suggesting that mechanical properties of CNS neurons may play an important regulatory role in cellular processes. Here, we employ an oscillatory optical tweezers (OOT) to exert a local indentation with forces in the range of 5-50 pN. We found that single local indentation above a threshold of 13 ± 1 pN evokes a transient intracellular calcium change, whereas repeated mechanical stimulations induce a more sustained and variable calcium response. Importantly, neurons were able to differentiate the magnitude of mechanical stimuli. Chemical perturbation and whole-cell patch clamp recordings suggest that mechanically evoked response requires the influx of extracellular calcium through transmembrane ion channels. Moreover, we observed a mechanically evoked activation of the CAMKII and small G protein RhoA. These results all together suggest that mechanical signaling among developed neurons fully operates in neuronal networks under physiological conditions.

SUBMITTER: Falleroni F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8851107 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature