Phosphorylation of Piezo1 at a single residue, serine-1612, regulates its mechanosensitivity and in vivo mechanotransduction function.

Abstract

Piezo1 is a mechanically activated cation channel that converts mechanical force into diverse physiological processes. Owing to its large protein size of more than 2,500 amino acids and complex 38-transmembrane helix topology, how Piezo1 is post-translationally modified for regulating its in vivo mechanotransduction functions remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that PKA activation potentiates the mechanosensitivity and slows the inactivation kinetics of mouse Piezo1 and identify the major phosphorylation site, serine-1612 (S1612), that also responds to PKC activation and shear stress. Mutating S1612 abolishes PKA and PKC regulation of Piezo1 activities. Primary endothelial cells derived from the Piezo1-S1612A knockin mice lost PKA- and PKC-dependent phosphorylation and functional potentiation of Piezo1. The mutant mice show activity-dependent elevation of blood pressure and compromised exercise endurance, resembling endothelial-specific Piezo1 knockout mice. Taken together, we identify the major PKA and PKC phosphorylation site in Piezo1 and demonstrate its contribution to Piezo1-mediated physiological functions.