UNIPROT #

Q92508

PROTEIN NAME

Protein FAM38A

SYNONYMS

DHS; Fam38a; Family with sequence similarity 38 member A; KIAA0233; Membrane protein induced by beta-amyloid treatment; Mib; PIEZ1_HUMAN; Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1; PIEZO1; Protein FAM38A; Protein FAM38B; Protein PIEZO1

SEQUENCE SIMILARITIES

Belongs to the PIEZO (TC 1.A.75) family.

TISSUE SPECIFICITY

Expressed in numerous tissues. In normal brain, expressed exclusively in neurons, not in astrocytes. In Alzheimer disease brains, expressed in about half of the activated astrocytes located around classical senile plaques. In Parkinson disease substantia nigra, not detected in melanin-containing neurons nor in activated astrocytes. Expressed in erythrocytes (at protein level).

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE

At 17 weeks of gestation, strongly expressed in hepatic erythroblasts. At that stage, also expressed in fetal splenic plasma cells and in lymphatic vessel of fetal peritoneum. In vitro, up-regulated during the erythroid differentiation of CD34+ cells from healthy donors (at protein level).

SUBCELLULAR LOCATION

Endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Cell membrane.

FUNCTION

Pore-forming subunit of a mechanosensitive non-specific cation channel. Generates currents characterized by a linear current-voltage relationship that are sensitive to ruthenium red and gadolinium. Plays a key role in epithelial cell adhesion by maintaining integrin activation through R-Ras recruitment to the ER, most probably in its activated state, and subsequent stimulation of calpain signaling. In the kidney, may contribute to the detection of intraluminal pressure changes and to urine flow sensing. Acts as shear-stress sensor that promotes endothelial cell organization and alignment in the direction of blood flow through calpain activation. Plays a key role in blood vessel formation and vascular structure in both development and adult physiology.