How cells react to mechanical stimuli
The Chinese University of Hong Kong has developed a new technology, the Light-Inducible Mechanostimulator (LIMER), to explore how the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) senses mechanical forces.
The research, carried out by a team led by Dr Duan Liting, marks a significant step forward in understanding cellular responses to mechanical stimuli.
The ER, a crucial organelle within cells, is known for its roles in protein synthesis and calcium ion storage. However, its ability to sense and respond to mechanical forces has remained largely unexplored due to its connections with the cell nucleus and cytoskeleton, which made it challenging to apply force to the ER without affecting other cellular structures.
LIMER uses light to direct motor protein-generated forces specifically onto the ER, allowing for non-invasive, reversible, and precise mechanical stimulation. This approach enabled the researchers to observe in real-time that the ER can rapidly respond to mechanical stimuli by releasing calcium ions within seconds, a critical process for cell signalling and function regulation.
The journal Developmental Cell recently published the study as its cover story, with PhD students Yutong Song, Zhihao Zhao, and Linyu Xu serving as the lead co-authors.
The research provides clear evidence of ER mechanosensitivity. Understanding the ER’s response to mechanical forces could lead to innovative treatments that precisely regulate cell functions through mechanical methods.