Molecular 'leash' measures force-sensing protein activation at about 15 piconewtons
Why it matters: This discovery refines our understanding of cellular mechanosensing, impacting research into blood pressure, immune responses, and tissue repair.
- NUS researchers created a molecular "leash" to directly measure the activation force of Piezo1, a key force-sensing protein in cells.
- Piezo1 was found to activate at about 15 piconewtons, providing the first precise measurement of the force needed to switch on this sensor.
- The study, published in Nature Sensors, proves Piezo1 can be activated by physical tethers, supporting the "force-from-filament" mechanism and expanding understanding of how cells sense mechanical signals.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a novel molecular "leash" using DNA to directly pull on the force-sensing protein Piezo1, revealing it activates at approximately 15 piconewtons. This groundbreaking method demonstrates that Piezo1 can be switched on by direct physical tethers, challenging the previous understanding that it primarily responds to cell membrane deformation.
