Year of publication:
2005
Journal name:
The Journal of Neuroscience
Nociceptor and Hair Cell Transducer Properties of TRPA1, a Channel for Pain and Hearing
http://www.jneurosci.org –
Mechanosensory channels of sensory cells mediate the sensations of hearing, touch, and some forms of pain. The TRPA1 (a member of the TRP family of ion channel proteins) channel is activated by pain-producing chemicals, and its inhibition impairs hair cell mechanotransduction. As shown here and previously, TRPA1 is expressed by hair cells as well as by most nociceptors (small neurons of dorsal root, trigeminal, and nodose ganglia) and localizes to their sensory terminals (mechanosensory stereocilia and peripheral free nerves, respectively). Read more »
Collagen-Based Mechanical Anisotropy of the Tectorial Membrane: Implications for Inter-Row Coupling of Outer Hair Cell Bundles
http://www.plosone.org –
Background:
The tectorial membrane (TM) in the mammalian cochlea displays anisotropy, where mechanical or structural properties differ along varying directions. The anisotropy arises from the presence of collagen fibrils organized in fibers of ~1 µm diameter that run radially across the TM. Mechanical coupling between the TM and the sensory epithelia is required for normal hearing. However, the lack of a suitable technique to measure mechanical anisotropy at the microscale level has hindered understanding of the TM's precise role.
Methodology/Principal Findings: Read more »
Year of publication:
2009
Journal name:
PLoS ONE