Piezo1
Developmental stage
Expressed at least from 9.5 dpc. Expression levels increase up to 15.5 dpc and remain high at least until birth.
Function
Pore-forming subunit of the mechanosensitive non-specific cation Piezo channel required for rapidly adapting mechanically activated (MA) currents and has a key role in sensing touch and tactile pain (PubMed:20813920, PubMed:22343900, PubMed:38184690, PubMed:26390154, PubMed:29261642, PubMed:35388220, PubMed:37590348). Piezo channels are homotrimeric three-blade propeller-shaped structures that utilize a cap-motion and plug-and-latch mechanism to gate their ion-conducting pathways (PubMed:26390154, PubMed:29261642, PubMed:35388220, PubMed:37590348). Generates currents characterized by a linear current-voltage relationship that are sensitive to ruthenium red and gadolinium (PubMed:20813920, PubMed:22343900, PubMed:38228630). Conductance to monovalent alkali ions is highest for K(+), intermediate for Na(+) and lowest for Li(+) (By similarity). Divalent ions except for Mn(2+) permeate the channel but more slowly than the monovalent ions and they also reduce K(+) currents (By similarity). Plays a key role in epithelial cell adhesion by maintaining integrin activation through R-Ras recruitment to the ER, most probably in its activated state, and subsequent stimulation of calpain signaling (By similarity). In inner ear hair cells, PIEZO1/2 subunits may constitute part of the mechanotransducer (MET) non-selective cation channel complex where they may act as pore-forming ion-conducting component in the complex (PubMed:38228630). In the kidney, may contribute to the detection of intraluminal pressure changes and to urine flow sensing (PubMed:24157948). Acts as a shear-stress sensor that promotes endothelial cell organization and alignment in the direction of blood flow through calpain activation (By similarity). Plays a key role in blood vessel formation and vascular structure in both development and adult physiology (PubMed:24958852, PubMed:25119035, PubMed:36515266). Acts as a sensor of phosphatidylserine (PS) flipping at the plasma membrane and governs morphogenesis of muscle cells (PubMed:29799007). In myoblasts, flippase-mediated PS enrichment at the inner leaflet of plasma membrane triggers channel activation and Ca(2+) influx followed by Rho GTPases signal transduction, leading to assembly of cortical actomyosin fibers and myotube formation (PubMed:29799007).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the PIEZO (TC 1.A.75) family.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in bladder, colon, kidney and skin. Also expressed in bone marrow, liver, lung, spleen and erythrocytes (at protein level). Expressed in myoblasts (at protein level). Expressed in red blood cells (PubMed:36515266). Expressed in cochlear inner and outer hair cells (IHCs and OHCs) and vestibular organ HCs (PubMed:38228630).
Cellular localization
- Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
- Endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment membrane
- Cell membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
- Cell projection
- Lamellipodium membrane
- In erythrocytes, located in the plasma membrane (PubMed:23479567). Accumulates at the leading apical lamellipodia of endothelial cells in response to shear stress (By similarity). Colocalizes with F-actin and MYH9 at the actomyosin cortex in myoblasts. Non-uniform distribution of Piezo1 in the red blood cell membrane with an enrichment at the dimple (PubMed:36515266). Located at the tips and sides of stereocilia and cuticular plate membranes (PubMed:38228630).
Alternative names
Fam38a, Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1, Protein FAM38A