Role of mechanosensitive ion channels in the sensation of pain

Abstract

Our ability to sense mechanical cues from our environment depend on the capacity of molecular sensor capable of converting mechanical energy into biochemical or electrical signals. This process, termed mechanotransduction, relies on the activity of mechanosensitive ion channels (MSCs) that are expressed in most tissues, including cells of the inner and outer ear, sensory and sympathetic neurons, and vascular cells. However, the precise role these channels play in the physiology of the cells and organs, where they are expressed is not completely understood. In this review, we will explore some of the recent findings on the role of MSCs to our sense of mechanical pain.