Search for cell volume sensors: an update

Abstract

Cell volume changes affect a plethora of cellular functions including macromolecular synthesis and catabolism, cell proliferation, differentiation and death. Because of these critical roles, cells regulate their volume with 1% accuracy via compensatory mechanisms termed regulatory volume increase and regulatory volume decrease. Our review focuses on recent advances in understanding the molecular origin of up-stream sensors triggering cellular responses to volume perturbations. The analysis demonstrates a major role of cytoplasmic hydrogel as well as the crosstalk of polyphosphoinositides and two-dimensional cytoskeleton (membrane carcass) in cell volume sensing.