北京大学定量生物学中心/生命科学联合中心

学术报告

PIEZO channels are essential for the processing of mechanical information in sensory systems. We previously identified and characterized MyoD-family inhibitor proteins (MDFIC and MDFI) as auxiliary subunits of PIEZO1/2 channels. Here we show that these auxiliary subunits regulate PIEZO1/2 channel currents in native non-sensory cell types and even in sensory cell types. New structural insights using cryo-EM show this family of auxiliary subunits binds directly to the pore module at an analogous site in PIEZO2. All family members also retain the ability to interact with transcription factors and as such we suggest renaming this protein family, PIEZO and transcription factor auxiliary proteins (PTAPs). We provide extensive data that the PTAPs act as key physiological regulators of the PIEZO ion channel family integrating mechanical cues directly into transcriptional pathways.