Functional and electrophysiological characterization of C. elegans PEZO-1

Abstract

The Caenorhabditis elegans genome encodes an ortholog gene of the Piezo mechanosensitive ion channel family, pezo-1. PEZO-1 is expressed in the worm’s pharynx. This myogenic pump is an essential component of the worm alimentary canal, whose contraction and relaxation are modulated by mechanical stimulation elicited by food content. Whether pezo-1 encodes a mechanosensitive channel and contributes to pharyngeal function remains unknown. We combined genome editing, genetics, microfluidics, and electropharyngeogram recordings to establish that pezo-1 is expressed in a proprioceptive-like neuron in the pharynx and regulates pharyngeal function.