Pressure and ultrasound activate mechanosensitive TRAAK K ⁺ channels through increased membrane tension.

ABSTRACT: TRAAK is a mechanosensitive two-pore domain K ⁺ (K2P) channel found in nodes of Ranvier within myelinated axons. It displays low leak activity at rest and is activated up to one hundred-fold by increased membrane tension. Structural and functional studies have led to physical models for channel gating and mechanosensitivity, but no quantitative analysis of channel activation by tension has been reported. Here, we use simultaneous patch-clamp recording and fluorescent imaging to determine the tension response characteristics of TRAAK. TRAAK shows high sensitivity and a broad response to tension spanning nearly the entire physiologically relevant tension range. This graded response profile distinguishes TRAAK from similarly low-threshold mechanosensitive channels Piezo1 and MscS,

SUBMITTER: Sorum B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9882092 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature