Tuning Piezo ion channels to detect molecular-scale movements relevant for fine touch

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4520
• Publication Date: 2014-03-24T14:27:07Z
• Authors: Kate Poole; Regina Herget; Liudmila Lapatsina; Ha-Duong Ngo; Gary R. Lewin
• Keywords: Mechanotransduction; Piezo1; Stretch-activated ion channel

In sensory neurons, mechanotransduction is sensitive, fast and requires mechanosensitive ion channels. Here we develop a new method to directly monitor at defined regions of the cell-substrate interface. We show that molecular-scale (~13 nm) displacements are sufficient gate currents in mouse touch receptors. Using neurons from knockout mice, displacement thresholds increase by one order magnitude absence stomatin-like protein 3 (STOML3). Piezo1 founding member class mammalian stretch-activated channels, STOML3, but not other stomatin-domain proteins, brings activation threshold for Piezo2 down ~10 nm. Structure–function experiments localize Piezo modulatory activity STOML3 stomatin domain, higher-order scaffolds prerequisite function. first potent modulator channels tunes sensitivity mechanically gated detect stimuli relevant fine touch. The domain required sensation Here, Poole et al.show enhances reducing their thresholds, it achieves this through its domain.