Piezo protein determines stem cell fate by transmitting mechanical signals

• Published in: Human cell : official journal of Human Cell Research Society Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 540 - 553
• Main Authors: Qiu, Xiaolei, Deng, Zhuoyue, Wang, Meijing, Feng, Yuqi, Bi, Lintao, Li, Lisha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.03.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Cell Differentiation; Cell fate; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell membranes; Developmental disabilities; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Gynecology; Ion Channels - metabolism; Life Sciences; MAP kinase; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mechanical stimuli; Membrane proteins; Oncology; Reproductive Medicine; Review Article; Signal transduction; Stem Cells; Stem Cells - metabolism; Structure-function relationships; Surgery; Wnt protein; Mechanical signal; Developmental disease; Stem cell fate; Downstream pathways; Piezo channels
• ISSN: 1749-0774; 0914-7470; 1749-0774
• DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00853-8

Piezo ion channel is a mechanosensitive protein on the cell membrane, which contains Piezo1 and Piezo2. Piezo channels are activated by mechanical forces, including stretch, matrix stiffness, static pressure, and shear stress. Piezo channels transmit mechanical signals that cause different downstream responses in the differentiation process, including integrin signaling pathway, ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway, Notch signaling, and WNT signaling pathway. In the fate of stem cell differentiation, scientists found differences in Piezo channel expression and found that Piezo channel expression is related to developmental diseases. Here, we briefly review the structure and function of Piezo channels and the relationship between Piezo and mechanical signals, discussing the current understanding of the role of Piezo channels in stem cell fate and associated molecules and developmental diseases. Ultimately, we believe this review will help identify the association between Piezo channels and stem cell fate.