How Humans May Sense Electric Fields with Cells

Many animals can sense and react to electric fields. But do humans sense these fields? Scientists have found the first actual "sensor mechanism" that allows a living cell to detect an electric field.

"We believe there are several types of sensing mechanisms, and known of them are known," said Min Zhao, one of the researchers, in a news release. "We now provide experimental evidence to suggest one which has not been even hypothesized before, a two-molecule sensing mechanism."

In this case, the researchers looked at "electric senses" in various cells. More specifically, they carried out their new work in a human cell line. They found that two elements, a protein called Kir4.2 and molecules within the cell called polyamines, were needed for signaling to occur.

Kir4.2 is a potassium channel that forms a pore through the cell membrane that allows potassium ions to enter the cell. Such ion channels are often involved in transmitting signals into cells. Polyamines within the cell actually carry a positive charge.

When the cells were in an electric field, the positively-charged polyamines accumulated at the side of the cell near the negative electrode. The polyamines are also able to bind to the Kir4.2 potassium channel, and regulate its activity.

The researchers currently don't have definitive evidence of how "switching" of the potassium channel by polyamines translates into directional movement by the cell. However, further studies may reveal this in time.

The findings reveal a bit more about how cells may detect electric fields. This, in turn, may show how humans may also possess this ability.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

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