J. J. Lacroix

Visualizing PIEZO1 Localization and Activity in hiPSC-Derived Single Cells and Organoids with HaloTag Technology

This study uses HaloTag technology to visualize PIEZO1 localization and activity in hiPSC-derived cells and organoids, enabling mechanotransduction studies with high temporal resolution.

Binding Free Energies of Piezo1 Channel Agonists at Protein-Membrane Interface

This study computes binding free energies of Yoda1 and its analogs at Piezo1 channels using molecular dynamics to predict agonist/inhibitor effects and guide drug design.

PIEZO1 discriminates mechanical stimuli

The paper investigates how PIEZO1 channels respond to different mechanical stimuli by analyzing conformational changes in their blade domains and finds that flow stimuli trigger distinct responses compared to other mechanical inputs.

Importance of Molecular Dynamics Equilibrium Protocol on Protein-lipid Interactions near Channel Pore

The paper identifies an artifact in hybrid MD simulations of ion channel pores caused by differences in solvation and equilibrium protocols between coarse-grained and all-atom models, and proposes a solution to correct it.

Mechanical and chemical activation of GPR68 (OGR1) probed with a genetically-encoded fluorescent reporter

The paper develops a fluorescent reporter, iGlow, to study GPR68 activation by mechanical and chemical stimuli, showing it responds to fluid shear stress, pH changes, and ogerin, and functions independently of Helix 8.

An inter-channel cooperative mechanism mediates PIEZO1's exquisite mechanosensitivity

This study shows that PIEZO1 channels exhibit cooperative behavior under mechanical stress, enhancing their sensitivity to small tension changes through inter-channel interactions.

A Piezo1 open state reveals a multi-fenestrated ion permeation pathway

The paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to study Piezo1 channel opening and identifies a multi-fenestrated ion permeation pathway.

Chemical Gating of the Mechanosensitive Piezo1 Channel by Asymmetric Binding of its Agonist Yoda1

The paper identifies the minimal region of Piezo1 responsible for Yoda1 binding and shows that asymmetric binding to a single subunit is sufficient for channel activation.