Figure 6: Desensitization of mechanosensitive currents in N2a cells is prevented by STOML3 and STOML1.
From: Tuning Piezo ion channels to detect molecular-scale movements relevant for fine touch
(a) Example traces from successive pillar deflections in control N2a cells (black traces), in N2a cells overexpressing STOML3-mGFP (cyan traces) or STOML1-mCherry (green traces). Stimuli were applied ~5 s apart. (b–e) Successive suprathreshold stimuli led to current desensitization in N2a cells (n=22 stimulation points). However, when either (b) STOML3 (n=25 stimulation points) or (c) STOML1 (n=19 stimulation points) is present, mechanosensitive currents do not desensitize as fast as controls; two-way analysis of variance (P<0.001). In addition, Bonferroni post-tests indicate that the probability of measuring a current in response to the second, third and fourth suprathreshold stimuli is significantly higher in those cells overexpressing STOML3 or overexpressing STOML1 (*P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001). This desensitization is not modulated in the presence of (d) stomatin (n=15 stimulation points), (e) podocin (n=23 stimulation points) or (f) MEC-2 (n=13 stimulation points). Data were obtained for cells cultured on arrays where k=290 pN nm−1. Control data are re-plotted in each panel for comparison, all data presented as mean±s.e.m.
