Polycystins: from mechanosensation to gene regulation

Cell. 2004 Jul 23;118(2):145-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.07.007.

Abstract

Polycystin proteins have been suggested to form mechanosensory transduction complexes involved in a variety of biological functions including sperm fertilization, mating behavior, and asymmetric gene expression in different species. Furthermore, their dysfunction is the cause of cyst formation in human kidney disease. This review focuses on the pros and cons of their candidacy as mechanically gated channels and on recent findings that have significantly advanced our physiological insight.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cilia / metabolism
  • Cilia / ultrastructure
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating / genetics*
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / genetics*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / genetics
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / metabolism*
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • TRPP Cation Channels

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Proteins
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • polycystic kidney disease 1 protein