Piezo, Nephrocyte Function, and Slit Diaphragm Maintenance in Drosophila

What is it about?

Piezo is a conserved cell membrane mechanical force sensor expressed in nephrocytes, which forms filtration structure similar to podocytes in human kidney. We show here that Piezo is required for nephrocyte function and maintaining the filtration structure, likely through regulating autophagy, reducing ER stress, and maintaining calcium homeostasis.

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