Piezos are large transmembrane proteins conserved among various species, all having between 24 and 36 predicted transmembrane domains. 'Piezo' comes from the Greek 'piesi,' meaning 'pressure.' The PIEZO2 protein has a role in rapidly adapting mechanically activated (MA) currents in somatosensory neurons.[2]
Pathology
Gain-of-function mutations in the mechanically activated ion channel PIEZO2 cause a subtype of Distal Arthrogryposis.[3]
Recent studies show that the congenital atrophy in PIEZO2 leads to not having self perception of extremities, and so the distortion in the response to touch (where the response was linked to an emotional response rather than a physical one). It was performed with two patients who would not be able to attempt to coordinate their movements without visually doing it, nor could they know where their extremities were at.
↑McMillin MJ, Beck AE, Chong JX, Shively KM, Buckingham KJ, Gildersleeve HI, Aracena MI, Aylsworth AS, Bitoun P, Carey JC, Clericuzio CL, Crow YJ, Curry CJ, Devriendt K, Everman DB, Fryer A, Gibson K, Giovannucci Uzielli ML, Graham JM, Hall JG, Hecht JT, Heidenreich RA, Hurst JA, Irani S, Krapels IP, Leroy JG, Mowat D, Plant GT, Robertson SP, Schorry EK, Scott RH, Seaver LH, Sherr E, Splitt M, Stewart H, Stumpel C, Temel SG, Weaver DD, Whiteford M, Williams MS, Tabor HK, Smith JD, Shendure J, Nickerson DA, Bamshad MJ (May 2014). "Mutations in PIEZO2 cause Gordon syndrome, Marden-Walker syndrome, and distal arthrogryposis type 5". American Journal of Human Genetics. 94 (5): 734–44. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2014.03.015. PMC4067551. PMID24726473.
Further reading
"Common genetic variation and antidepressant efficacy in major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of three genome-wide pharmacogenetic studies". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 170 (2): 207–17. February 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12020237. PMID23377640.
Ahn MJ, Won HH, Lee J, Lee ST, Sun JM, Park YH, Ahn JS, Kwon OJ, Kim H, Shim YM, Kim J, Kim K, Kim YH, Park JY, Kim JW, Park K (March 2012). "The 18p11.22 locus is associated with never smoker non-small cell lung cancer susceptibility in Korean populations". Human Genetics. 131 (3): 365–72. doi:10.1007/s00439-011-1080-z. PMID21866343.
Coste B (January 2011). "[Feeling the pressure? Identification of two proteins activated by mechanical forces]". Medecine Sciences. 27 (1): 17–9. doi:10.1051/medsci/201127117. PMID21299953.
Luykx JJ, Bakker SC, Lentjes E, Neeleman M, Strengman E, Mentink L, DeYoung J, de Jong S, Sul JH, Eskin E, van Eijk K, van Setten J, Buizer-Voskamp JE, Cantor RM, Lu A, van Amerongen M, van Dongen EP, Keijzers P, Kappen T, Borgdorff P, Bruins P, Derks EM, Kahn RS, Ophoff RA (February 2014). "Genome-wide association study of monoamine metabolite levels in human cerebrospinal fluid". Molecular Psychiatry. 19 (2): 228–34. doi:10.1038/mp.2012.183. PMID23319000.