Western Blotting and Immunoprecipitation of Native Human PIEZO1 Channels

Abstract

PIEZO1 is a mechanically activated ion channel essential for mechanotransduction and downstream signaling in almost all organ systems. Western blotting is commonly used to study the expression, stability, and post-translational modifications of proteins. However, as a large transmembrane protein, PIEZO1 contains extensive hydrophobic regions and undergoes post-translational modifications that increase its propensity for nonspecific protein–protein interactions. As a result, conventional sample preparation methods seem unsuitable for PIEZO1. For example, heating and sonicating transmembrane proteins exposes hydrophobic regions, leading to aggregation, improper detergent interactions, and loss of solubility, ultimately compromising their detection in western blots. To address these challenges, we developed a western blot protocol optimized for human PIEZO1 by preparing lysates consistently at lower temperatures and incorporating strong reducing and alkylation reagents into the western blot lysis buffer to ensure proper protein solubilization and minimal cross-linking. Using the same antibody, we also developed an immunoprecipitation protocol with optimized detergents to maintain the solubilization of native human PIEZO1, enabling the discovery of a new family of auxiliary subunits.