AI Summary
This article discusses a study by Lewis et al. that found Piezo1 ion channels are capable of conformational signaling, where conformational changes are sensed by other proteins without involving ion permeation. This mechanism, known as "conformational signaling," expands the understanding of how mechanical forces are converted into cellular signals.
Lewis et al. report that conformational changes in Piezo1 ion channels are sensed by other proteins, independently of ion permeation. Such a mechanism is known as “conformational signaling.” The finding conceptually expands the mechanisms by which mechanical forces are transduced into cellular signals.