Nature Communications (Oct 2019)

A mechanism for the activation of the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel by the small molecule Yoda1

  • Wesley M. Botello-Smith,
  • Wenjuan Jiang,
  • Han Zhang,
  • Alper D. Ozkan,
  • Yi-Chun Lin,
  • Christine N. Pham,
  • Jérôme J. Lacroix,
  • Yun Luo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12501-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Besides mechanical forces, the mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 is activated by the small molecule Yoda1 through an unknown mechanism. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, calcium imaging and electrophysiology, the authors identify an allosteric Yoda1 binding pocket located in the putative mechanosensory domain.