Piezo channels constitute a unique family of ion channels that transduce mechanical forces, including membrane deformation and stretch. While Piezo1 is broadly expressed, Piezo2 is present in mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors. In these afferent neurons, Piezo2 senses, with remarkable sensitivity, hair movements or the stretch of muscle fibers. However, the molecular substrates for such refined sensitivity and responsiveness to different mechanical stimuli are missing. Recent work from our group has highlighted the intracellular regions in Piezo2 architecture that underlay those fundamental properties. Furthermore, we show that Piezo2 is also present in a particular subtype of pain fibers known as the Silent Nociceptors. Notably, Piezo2 is responsible for the mechanically activated currents induced by inflammation in these fibers.

Resumen del trabajo presentado al VIII Congreso Red Española de Canales Iónicos, celebrado en Alicante del 24 al 27 de mayo de 2022.

Peer reviewed