Automated high throughput patch clamp studies of Piezo1 channel

Piezo ion channels convert mechanical stimuli into various biological activities through a process called mechanotransduction. Piezo1 and Piezo2 were identified in 2010 as molecular mediators of the mechanically activated current found across multiple cell types (Coste et al., 2010). While the main function of Piezo2 is the mediation of gentle touch sensation, Piezo1 has functions in numerous physiological processes, including sensing shear stress of blood flow for proper blood vessel development, regulating urinary osmotic pressure, controlling blood pressure and exercise performance (Faucherre et al., 2014; Li et al., 2014: Martin-Almedina et al., 2018). Previous studies have shown that over
25 mutations in Piezo1 cause human disease. However, most mutations have yet to be extensively studied (Song et al., 2022). Piezo1 is activated through cell membrane deformations caused by mechanical forces, such as osmotic pressure, fluid shear stress, sub-strate stiffness, and confinement. Known stimuli activating Piezo1 in vitro are shear stress, as well as the indentation of a cell with a glass probe and membrane stretching (Ranade et al., 2014).