A crucial physiological role of Piezo1 channel in differentiation rather than proliferation during myogenesis

Mechanical signals are critical for the growth, maintenance and repair of skeletal muscle. However, it remained elusive whether the mechanically activated ion channels, notably the novel Piezo1 channel, mediate these functions in the muscle. Although an earlier report1 suggested that Piezo1 channel could be important for myoblast cell fusion and myotube elongation in the C2C12 cell line, the current study by Bosutti et al2 made significant progress in determining the physiological roles of Piezo1 channel in myogenesis and adult myofibre activity.