PIEZO1 Channel Is a Potential Regulator of Synovial Sarcoma Cell-Viability

Abstract

Detection of mechanical stress is essential for diverse biological functions including touch, audition, and maintenance of vascular myogenic tone. PIEZO1, a mechano-sensing cation channel, is widely expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal cells and is expected to be involved in important biological functions. Here, we examined the possibility that PIEZO1 is involved in the regulation of synovial sarcoma cell-viability. Application of a PIEZO1 agonist Yoda1 effectively induced Ca²⁺ response and cation channel currents in <i>PIEZO1</i>-expressing HEK (HEK-Piezo1) cells and synovial sarcoma SW982 (SW982) cells. Mechanical stress, as well as Yoda1, induced the activity of an identical channel of conductance with 21.6 pS in HEK-Piezo1 cells. In contrast, Yoda1 up to 10 &mu;M had no effects on membrane currents in HEK cells without transfecting <i>PIEZO1</i>. A knockdown of <i>PIEZO1</i> with siRNA in SW982 cells abolished Yoda1-induced Ca²⁺ response and significantly reduced cell cell-viability. Because <i>PIEZO1</i> is highly expressed in SW982 cells and its knockdown affects cell-viability, this gene is a potential target against synovial sarcoma.