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.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Verney, E. B. Proc. R. Soc. B135, 25–106 (1947).
Robertson, G. L., Shelton, R. L. & Athar, S. Kidney Int. 10, 25–37 (1976).
Dunn, F. L., Brennan, T. J., Nelson, A. E. & Robertson, G. L. J. clin. Invest. 52, 3212–3219 (1973).
Brimble, M. J. & Dyball, R. E. J. J. Physiol. 271, 253–272 (1977).
Lawrence, D. & Pittman, Q. J. Brain Res. 341, 176–183 (1985).
Poulain, D. A. & Wakerley, J. B. Neuroscience 7, 773–808 (1982).
Mason, W. T. Nature 287, 154–157 (1980).
Bourque, C. W. J. Physiol. 417, 263–277 (1989).
Oliet, S. H. R. & Bourque, C. W. J. Physiol. 455, 291–306 (1992).
Darrow, D. C. & Yannet, H. J. clin. Invest. 14, 266–275 (1935).
Morris, C. E. J. Membr. Biol. 113, 93–107 (1990).
Sokabe, M. & Sachs, F. in Advances in Comparative and Environmental Physiology 10 (ed. Ito, F.) 55–77 (Springer, Berlin, 1992).
Morris, C. E. & Sigurdson, W. J. Science 243, 807–809 (1989).
French, A. S. A. Rev. Physiol. 54, 135–152 (1992).
Morris, C. E. & Horn, R. Science 251, 1246–1249 (1991).
Leng, G., Mason, W. T. & Dyer, R. G. Neuroendocrinology 34, 75–82 (1982).
Hamill, O. P., Marty, A., Neher, E., Sakmann, B. & Sigworth, F. Pflügers Archs 321, 85–100 (1981).
Brimble, M. J., Dyball, R. E. J. & Forsling, M. L. J. Physiol. 278, 69–78 (1978).
Friedman, J. E. & Haddad, G. G. J. Neurosci. 13, 63–72 (1993).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/364341a0
This article is cited by
-
Single-neuron mechanical perturbation evokes calcium plateaus that excite and modulate the network
Scientific Reports (2023)
-
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4: a Double-Edged Sword in the Central Nervous System
Molecular Neurobiology (2023)
-
Approach and management of dysnatremias in cirrhosis
Hepatology International (2018)
-
Role of Vasopressin in Rat Models of Salt-Dependent Hypertension
Current Hypertension Reports (2017)
-
TRPV4 is associated with central rather than nephrogenic osmoregulation
Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology (2016)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
