Single-particle tracking reveals heterogeneous PIEZO1 diffusion.

ABSTRACT: The mechanically activated ion channel PIEZO1 is critical to numerous physiological processes, and is activated by diverse mechanical cues. The channel is gated by membrane tension and has been found to be mobile in the plasma membrane. We employed single-particle tracking (SPT) of endogenous, tdTomato-tagged PIEZO1 using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy in live cells. Application of SPT unveiled a surprising heterogeneity of diffusing PIEZO1 subpopulations, which we labeled "mobile" and "immobile." We sorted these trajectories into the two aforementioned categories using trajectory spread. To evaluate the effects of the plasma membrane composition on PIEZO1 diffusion, we manipulated membrane composition by depleting or supplementing cholesterol, or by adding margaric acid

SUBMITTER: Ly AT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820997 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature