Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 2 is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''PIEZO2''

gene In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...

. It has a homotrimeric structure, with three blades curving into a nano-dome, with a diameter of 28 nanometers.

Function

Piezos are large

transmembrane protein A transmembrane protein is a type of integral membrane protein that spans the entirety of the cell membrane. Many transmembrane proteins function as gateways to permit the transport of specific substances across the membrane. They frequently un ...

s conserved among various species, all having between 24 and 36 predicted

transmembrane domain A transmembrane domain (TMD, TM domain) is a membrane-spanning protein domain. TMDs may consist of one or several alpha-helices or a transmembrane beta barrel. Because the interior of the lipid bilayer is hydrophobic, the amino acid residues in ...

s. 'Piezo' comes from the Greek 'piesi,' meaning 'pressure.' The PIEZO2 protein has a role in rapidly adapting mechanically activated (MA) currents in somatosensory neurons. Its structure is resolved via a mouse version in 2019, showing the predicted homotrimeric propeller. PIEZO2 is typically found in cell types that respond to physical touch, such as

Merkel cell Merkel cells, also known as Merkel–Ranvier cells or tactile epithelial cells, are oval-shaped mechanoreceptors essential for light touch sensation and found in the skin of vertebrates. They are abundant in highly sensitive skin like that of th ...

s, and is thought to regulate light touch response.

Pathology

* Gain-of-function mutations in the mechanically activated ion channel PIEZO2 cause a subtype of Distal

Arthrogryposis Arthrogryposis (AMC) describes congenital joint contracture in two or more areas of the body. It derives its name from Greek, literally meaning 'curving of joints' (', 'joint'; ', late Latin form of late Greek ', 'hooking'). Children born with one ...

. * Mice without PIEZO2 in their proprioceptive neurons show uncoordinated body movements, indicating that PIEZO2 plays a role in mammalian

proprioception Proprioception ( ) is the sense of self-movement, force, and body position. Proprioception is mediated by proprioceptors, a type of sensory receptor, located within muscles, tendons, and joints. Most animals possess multiple subtypes of propri ...

. * PIEZO2 mutations link Gordon syndrome (distal arthrogryposis type 3), Marden-Walker syndrome and

(Distal Arthrogryposis Type 5).

Function

Pathology

See also

References

Further reading