Piezo1 activation gains traction

Abstract

A major unanswered question in biology is how mechanical forces are generated, detected and transduced by cells to impact biochemical and genetic programs. Our work is aimed at uncovering the mechanical principles at play in cells and tissues using novel molecular, imaging and bioengineering tools. Here we present insights gleaned from non-invasive approaches to measure and manipulate mechanical signals in native cellular conditions. We find that the mechanically-activated ion channel Piezo1 transduces cell-generated traction forces: actomyosin-based traction forces evoke localized Piezo1 Ca2+ flickers in the absence of externally-applied mechanical forces. We examine the functional effects of cell-generated Piezo1 activity in neural stem/progenitor cells and in epithelial keratinocytes.