Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Co-immunoprecipitation of the Mouse Mx1 Protein with the Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein
09:39

Co-immunoprecipitation of the Mouse Mx1 Protein with the Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein

Published on: April 21, 2015

Piezo1 inhibition promoted MELK degradation and impeded influenza virus entry into host cells

Jianfu He1, Huiyi Guo1, Kunyu Lu1

  • 1Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Joint Laboratory for New Drug Screening, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.

Journal of Advanced Research
|July 4, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Scientists discovered that Piezo1, a mechanosensitive channel, is essential for influenza virus entry. Targeting Piezo1 in mice improved survival, suggesting it as a novel antiviral strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Influenza virus poses a significant global public health threat.
  • Understanding host factors in viral entry is crucial for developing antivirals.
  • The role of mechanosensitive channels like Piezo1 in influenza infection is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of Piezo1 in respiratory epithelial cells during influenza A virus (IAV) infection.
  • To validate Piezo1 as a therapeutic target for influenza in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized gene editing, proteomics, and IP-MS screening to elucidate the Piezo1-MELK axis.
  • Employed knockout mouse models to assess the in vivo anti-influenza effects of Piezo1 targeting.

Main Results:

  • Piezo1 is critical for IAV entry into host cells.
  • Piezo1 stabilizes MELK, a novel IAV endocytic receptor that binds viral hemagglutinin (HA).
  • Inhibition or knockout of Piezo1 in mouse lungs significantly enhances survival rates during influenza infection.

Conclusions:

  • A novel Piezo1-MELK axis regulates IAV attachment and endocytosis.
  • Targeting Piezo1 represents a promising host-directed antiviral strategy against influenza.
Keywords:
EndocytosisInfluenzaMELKPiezo1Receptor

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