Component of a mechanosensitive channel required for rapidly adapting mechanically activated (MA) currents (PubMed:22343900, PubMed:22343891). Plays a major role in nociception (response to strong or painful touch) (PubMed:22343891). Required for maintaining the mechanosensitivity of tarsal bristle mechanosensors (PubMed:32649914). During their evalulation of potential egg-laying sites, females determine the softest substrate for their eggs first by making a coarse evaluation of substrate hardness using mechanosensitive channels nan and Piezo in the leg tarsal bristles, followed by a much finer assessment using nan, iav and Tmc mechanosensitive channels on the labellum (PubMed:32649914). Acts in the nompC- and nan-expressing neurons of the female leg tarsals, to sense the mild differences in egg-laying substrate stiffness (PubMed:32649914). Viable and fertile, with no apparent coordination defects (PubMed:22343891). Flies have significant defects in detection of strong touch stimuli, however detection of gentle touch and temperature is unaffected (PubMed:22343891). Decreases firing frequencies of adult leg tarsal bristles (PubMed:32649914). In females, no effect on texture selection during egg-laying (PubMed:32649914). RNAi-mediated knockdown in NompC-expressing neurons, reduces the female's preference for softer egg-laying substrates (PubMed:32649914). Piezo comes from the Greek 'piesi' meaning pressure. Belongs to the PIEZO (TC 1.A.75) family.