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Emerging Concepts in Ion Channel Biophysics
Poster Abstracts
114
72-POS
Board 72
Probing the Mechanosensitive Domains of Piezo Ion Channels with Magnetic Force
Jason Wu
, Jorg Grandl.
Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Piezo ion channels are excitatory mechanically activated channels that mediate our sense of
touch as well as a number of other roles in pressure sensing organs throughout the body.
However, the precise mechanisms and structures mediating the processes of mechanical
activation and subsequent inactivation are still unclear. To address these questions, we use
magnetic nanoparticles as localized force transducers that allow for remote mechanical
stimulation of different domains within Piezo1. In combination with pressure-clamp
electrophysiology, we use magnetic pulling forces to identify distinct domains that affect channel
activation and inactivation. Revealing these domains supports our future mechanistic studies for
understanding Piezo function.