Labeling PIEZO2 Activity in the Peripheral Nervous System

Authors

Nicholas W Villarino
Yasmeen M F Hamed
Britya Ghosh
Adrienne E Dubin
Amanda H Lewis
Max A Odem
Meaghan C Loud
Yu Wang
M Rocio Servin-Vences
Ardem Patapoutian
Kara L Marshall

Publication Date

8-16-2023

Journal

Neuron

DOI

10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.015

PMID

37321223

PMCID

PMC10527906

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

9-27-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Mice, Animals, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Ion Channels, Sensory Receptor Cells, Pyridinium Compounds

Abstract

Sensory neurons detect mechanical forces from both the environment and internal organs to regulate physiology. PIEZO2 is a mechanosensory ion channel critical for touch, proprioception, and bladder stretch sensation, yet its broad expression in sensory neurons suggests it has undiscovered physiological roles. To fully understand mechanosensory physiology, we must know where and when PIEZO2-expressing neurons detect force. The fluorescent styryl dye FM 1-43 was previously shown to label sensory neurons. Surprisingly, we find that the vast majority of FM 1-43 somatosensory neuron labeling in mice in vivo is dependent on PIEZO2 activity within the peripheral nerve endings. We illustrate the potential of FM 1-43 by using it to identify novel PIEZO2-expressing urethral neurons that are engaged by urination. These data reveal that FM 1-43 is a functional probe for mechanosensitivity via PIEZO2 activation in vivo and will facilitate the characterization of known and novel mechanosensory processes in multiple organ systems.