Mechanosensitive channels transduce osmosensitivity in supraoptic neurons

ABSTRACT VASOPRESSIN is a peptide hormone synthesized by neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, which project axon terminals to the neurohypophysis. Consistent with its

antidiuretic properties, vasopressin release rises as a function of plasma osmolality1–3, a response that results from accelerated action potential discharge4–6. Previous studies have shown

that increases in fluid osmolality depolarize supraoptic neurons in the absence of synaptic transmission7–9, suggesting that these cells behave as intrinsic osmoreceptors. The mechanism by

which changes in osmolality are transduced into an electrical signal is unknown, however. Here we report that changes in cell volume accompany physiological variations in fluid osmolality

and that these modulate the activity of mechanosensitive cation channels in a way that is consistent with the macroscopic regulation of membrane voltage and action potential discharge. These

findings define a function for stretch-inactivated channels in mammalian central neurons. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access

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_J. Neurosci._ 13, 63–72 (1993). Article  CAS  Google Scholar  Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Montreal General

Hospital and McGill University, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, PQ, H3G 1A4, Canada Stéphane H. R. Oliet & Charles Bourque Authors * Stéphane H. R. Oliet View author publications You can

also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Charles Bourque View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and

permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Oliet, S., Bourque, C. Mechanosensitive channels transduce osmosensitivity in supraoptic neurons. _Nature_ 364, 341–343 (1993).

https://doi.org/10.1038/364341a0 Download citation * Received: 08 March 1993 * Accepted: 13 April 1993 * Issue Date: 22 July 1993 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/364341a0 SHARE THIS ARTICLE

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