The mechanosensitive ion channel ASIC2 mediates both proprioceptive sensing and spinal alignment.
Bavat Bornstein, Bridgette Watkins, Fabian S Passini, Ronen Blecher, Eran Assaraf, Xiao Meng Sui, Vlad Brumfeld, Michael Tsoory, Stephan Kröger, Elazar Zelzer
Author Information
Bavat Bornstein: Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. ORCID
Bridgette Watkins: Department of Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
Fabian S Passini: Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Ronen Blecher: Orthopedic Department, Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod, Israel, affiliated to Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba, Israel.
Eran Assaraf: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shamir Medical Center, Assaf HaRofeh Campus, Zeffifin, Israel, affiliated to Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Xiao Meng Sui: Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Vlad Brumfeld: Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Michael Tsoory: Department of Veterinary Resources, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Stephan Kröger: Department of Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
Elazar Zelzer: Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. ORCID
By translating mechanical forces into molecular signals, proprioceptive neurons provide the CNS with information on muscle length and tension, which is necessary to control posture and movement. However, the identities of the molecular players that mediate proprioceptive sensing are largely unknown. Here, we confirm the expression of the mechanosensitive ion channel ASIC2 in proprioceptive sensory neurons. By combining in vivo proprioception-related functional tests with ex vivo electrophysiological analyses of muscle spindles, we showed that mice lacking Asic2 display impairments in muscle spindle responses to stretch and motor coordination tasks. Finally, analysis of skeletons of Asic2 loss-of-function mice revealed a specific effect on spinal alignment. Overall, we identify ASIC2 as a key component in proprioceptive sensing and a regulator of spine alignment.
