|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
| Research
Directors |
|
 |
|
Prof. Masahiro
Sokabe
Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya
University |
|
 |
|
Prof. Frederick
Sachs
Dept. of Physiology and Biophysical
Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo |
|
|
| Counterpart Organization: State University of New
York (U.S.A) |
|
|
| Virtually every cell can respond to mechanical
stimuli. Not only specialized mechanosensory cells like those
in the inner ear and skin but ordinary non-sensory cells respond
to external mechanical stimuli. In addition cells also react
to diverse forces generated in the cell accompanied with its
growth, division, morphogenesis, and movement. We named these
capabilities of the cell "Cell Mechanosensing". |
|
| In this cooperative research, MS channel
genes from myocardia have been identified. And it has been
found that a natural peptide(GsMtx-4) from spider venom works
as an MS channel specific blocker. Also we found that the
mechanosensing machinery of higher animals is not constituted
of a simple MS channel but a supra-molecular complex composed
of MS channel and cytoskeleton. |
|
Through this research cooperated with
State University of New York, Japanese side have proceeded
molecular and cell biological approaches while American
side biophysical and biochemical approaches to investigate
the mechanism of Cell Mechanosensing. The achievements must
give immeasurable impacts upon basic biology, clinical medicine,
space medicine, agriculture, and so on. In addition, it
is expected that the discovery of MS channel specific blockers
leads to the development of new medicines that would suppress
atrial fibrillation inviting cerebral infraction. |
|
