Fig. 3
From: Acid-sensing ion channels: dual function proteins for chemo-sensing and mechano-sensing
The molecular apparatus that mediates the “tether model” mechanotransduction is conserved between nematodes and mammals. a Caenorhabditis elegans has many mechanosensory abnormality (mec) mutant genes involved in the tether-model mechanotransduction responsible for gentle touch. These mec gene products are MEC-4 and MEC-10 (DEG/ENaC channels), MEC-2 and MEC-6 (channel-associated proteins), MEC-7 and MEC-12 (protofilament microtubules), and MEC-1, MEC-5, and MEC-9 (extracellular matrix proteins). These proteins illustrate a tethering gating model of mechanically activated ion channels in nematodes. b In mammals, ASICs are homologs of MEC-4 and MEC-10 and are also involved in the tether model of mechanotransduction. ASICs interact with channel-associated proteins PICK1 and STOML3 (and possibly whirlin) and could be regulated by extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagen, laminin, and fibronectin) or cytoskeleton proteins such as actin and microtubules