Gravity sensing in plant and animal cells

Gravity determines shape of body tissue and affects the functions of life, both in plants and animals. The cellular response to gravity is an active process of mechanotransduction. Although plants and animals share some common mechanisms of gravity sensing in spite of their distant phylogenetic origin, each species has its own mechanism to sense and respond to gravity. In this review, we discuss current understanding regarding the mechanisms of cellular gravity sensing in plants and animals. Understanding gravisensing also contributes to life on Earth, e.g., understanding osteoporosis and muscle atrophy. Furthermore, in the current age of Mars exploration, understanding cellular responses to gravity will form the foundation of living in space.

Automated summary

Gravity determines the shape and functions of body tissues in plants and animals, and cellular response to gravity is an active process of mechanotransduction. Despite sharing common mechanisms, each species has its own way of sensing and responding to gravity. Understanding cellular responses to gravity is important not only for life on Earth, but also for laying the foundation for living in space in the age of Mars exploration.