Advances in the Role of Mechanosensitive Ion Channel Piezo1 in Cellular Mechanotransduction
Ru Yiwen1,2, Zhang Weibing1,2*
The mechanically activated ion channel Piezo1 converts external mechanical stimuli into electrochemical signals in the process of cell mechanotransduction. High resolution structure data of Piezo1 protein obtained by cryo-electron microscopy reveal a trimeric three-bladed, propeller-shaped structure with transmembrane domains. Various physiological functions mediated by Piezo1 channels such as vascular physiology, red blood cell volume regulation and homeostatic cell numbers in epithelia as well as several human genetic disorders associated with Piezo1 deficiency or gain-of-function mutations have been discovered. The role of Piezo1 in essential pathophysiological process makes it a prospective therapeutic target. This review summarizes our current knowledge of Piezo1 ion channel on its gating features, structure, pharmacological characteristics and physiological functions.
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