# Enterochromaffin cell mechanotransduction and mechanosensitive serotonin release depend on calcium signaling downstream of Piezo2 activation

> **NIH NIH R03** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2020 · $79,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Our laboratory’s overall goal is to determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of gastrointestinal (GI)
mechanosensitivity in normal GI physiology and in functional GI diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS). Our K08-supported research focused on an important specialized epithelial mechanosensory cell, called
enterochromaffin (EC) cell. In response to mechanical force, the EC cell releases serotonin, which has
important physiologic effects and this mechanism, is disrupted in IBS. With K08 support, we discovered that a
novel mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo2 is specifically expressed in mouse and human EC cells, and that
Piezo2 activation leads to release of 5-HT and mechanically-induced epithelial secretion. The current work is
aimed at understanding the molecular mechanism of EC cell mechanosensitivity downstream of Piezo2
channels. The experiments, while foundationally linked to previous work, are a new and logical extension of the
work associated with the K08 and can be completed in the defined award period. The results from this study
are important because they will define a novel mechanotransduction mechanism and allow us to deeply
understand EC cell mechanosensation in health, which will enable us to examine alterations in disease, and
then potentially target these pharmacologically as novel and specific therapies for IBS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9840896
- **Project number:** 5R03DK119683-02
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Arthur Beyder
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $79,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-01 → 2020-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9840896

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9840896, Enterochromaffin cell mechanotransduction and mechanosensitive serotonin release depend on calcium signaling downstream of Piezo2 activation (5R03DK119683-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9840896. Licensed CC0.

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