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Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
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Alternative RNA splicing is the regulated splicing of exons and introns to produce different mature mRNAs from a single pre-mRNA. Unlike in constitutive splicing where a single gene produces a single type of mRNA, alternative splicing allows an organism to produce multiple proteins from a single gene and plays an important role in protein diversity.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects
07:32

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Published on: September 1, 2016

Piezo2 tension sensitivity and its modulation by alternative splicing.

Michael Sindoni1, William Sharp2, Jörg Grandl1

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

Cell Reports
|June 5, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Piezo2 ion channels sense mechanical forces. Alternative splicing creates variants with distinct sensitivities, explaining their diverse physiological roles in touch and internal sensation.

Keywords:
CP: molecular biologyCP: neurosciencePiezo1Piezo2alternative splicingforce gated ion channelmechanotransduction

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Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

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07:32

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Published on: September 1, 2016

Detection of Alternative Splicing During Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Piezo2 is a mechanosensitive ion channel crucial for touch, proprioception, and internal organ function.
  • Alternative splicing generates numerous Piezo2 variants, but their distinct biophysical properties and functions remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Piezo2's sensitivity to membrane tension.
  • To determine how alternative splicing impacts Piezo2's mechanical response and physiological function.

Main Methods:

  • Cell-attached pressure-clamp electrophysiology.
  • Differential interference contrast microscopy.
  • Analysis of Piezo2 variants and alternatively spliced exon 35.

Main Results:

  • Identified alternatively spliced exon 35 as sufficient to confer high sensitivity to membrane tension.
  • Quantified distinct sensitivities and dynamic ranges for physiological Piezo2 variants.
  • Demonstrated that Piezo2 variants respond differently to mechanical forces.

Conclusions:

  • Piezo2 variants exhibit specialized mechanical sensitivities due to alternative splicing.
  • These distinct properties enable Piezo2 variants to fulfill specific roles in somatosensation and interoception.
  • Findings provide a mechanistic basis for Piezo2's diverse physiological functions.