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Cellular Structure for Hair-Cell Mechanotransduction

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Mechanotransduction of the Hair Cell

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ((BRIEFSBIOCHEM))

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Abstract

In this chapter, we will introduce the cellular structure that is responsible for hair-cell mechanotransduction (MET). Auditory hair cells reside in the inner ear, where they are interlaced in a precise pattern with various supporting cells. Hair cells got their name because each one has hundreds of hairy-looking membrane protrusions, namely, stereocilia, extending from its apical surface. Within each hair cell, various types of extracellular links couple different stereocilia with one another. Tip links connect the tips of shorter stereocilia to the lateral shaft of its taller neighbouring stereocilia, and the yet-unidentified MET channels localize at the tips of shorter stereocilia, near the lower end of tip links. When the stereocilia are deflected positively, tension of tip links increases, which changes the conformation of MET channels and increases their open probability. Driven by the potential difference and ion concentration difference, cations flux into hair cells through the MET channels and cause membrane depolarization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, **an, Shandong, China

    Zhigang Xu

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  1. Zhigang Xu
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Correspondence to Zhigang Xu .

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Xu, Z. (2018). Cellular Structure for Hair-Cell Mechanotransduction. In: Mechanotransduction of the Hair Cell. SpringerBriefs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8557-4_2

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