Abstract
Mechanosensory neurons use mechanotransduction (MET) ion channels to detect mechanical forces and displacements. Proteins that function as MET channels have appeared multiple times during evolution and occur in at least four different families: the DEG/ENaC and TRP channels, as well as the TMC and Piezo proteins. We found twelve putative members of MET channel families in two spider transcriptomes, but detected only one, the Piezo protein, by in situ hybridization in their mechanosensory neurons. In contrast, probes for orthologs of TRP, ENaC or TMC genes that code MET channels in other species did not produce any signals in these cells. An antibody against C. salei Piezo detected the protein in all parts of their mechanosensory cells and in many neurons of the CNS. Unspecific blockers of MET channels, Ruthenium Red and GsMTx4, had no effect on the mechanically activated currents of the mechanosensory VS-3 neurons, but the latter toxin reduced action potential firing when these cells were stimulated electrically. The Piezo protein is expressed throughout the spider nervous system including the mechanosensory neurons. It is possible that it contributes to mechanosensory transduction in spider mechanosensilla, but it must have other functions in peripheral and central neurons.
Highlights
Mechanosensory cells detect force from signals such as touch, sound, vibration, and strain and convert these signals into ionic currents via mechanically activated ion channels
Piezo was the only putative MET channel we found in these cells and it was expressed in many central neurons
It is not surprising that the same mRNA that was found in the transcriptome was not detected in the specific cells on a small piece of patellar hypodermis that was used for in situ hybridization
Summary
Mechanosensory cells detect force from signals such as touch, sound, vibration, and strain and convert these signals into ionic currents via mechanically activated ion channels. Vibrations from potential prey, predators and mates, or the spider’s own movements distort the slits that hold the sensory d endrites[30], leading to a N a+ driven MET current with transient and slow components[31,32]. This current was blocked by amiloride and gadolinium and enhanced by acidic p H33,34, suggesting that the MET channels may belong to ENaC family. Our aim was to identify members of putative MET channel families from C. salei transcriptomes, and to investigate their expression in the spider mechanosensory cells using in situ hybridization. We focussed our research on Piezo to begin to understand its functions in the arthropod peripheral and central nervous systems
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