Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2022, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3): 182-194.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2022.03.002

• Review Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Activation and regulation mechanism of Piezo channels as mechanosensors

GUO Yusong R   

  1. School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
  • Online:2022-06-25 Published:2022-06-20

Abstract: Piezo channels are mechanosensitive ion channels discovered in mammals. They are involved in important physiological processes including touch sensation and osmotic regulation, and are correlated to many diseases such as sensory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and tumors. The process of converting mechanical signals into electrical signals by Piezo activation could be described by the membrane dome mechanism. In the absence of tension, Piezo channel with its surrounding membrane is highly curved into a dome shape, which is flattened and open in response to tension, as this conformation is more energetically favored. This process could be regulated by properties of Piezo protein itself, lipids, interacting proteins and other factors, to fulfil the complex physiological functions of Piezo. A better understanding of the activation and regulation mechanism of Piezo will shed lights on new treatments of related diseases from the perspective of mechanotransduction.