Component of a mechanosensitive channel required for rapidly adapting mechanically activated (MA) currents (PubMed:20813920, PubMed:24717433). Required for Merkel-cell mechanotransduction (PubMed:24717433). Plays a major role in light-touch mechanosensation (PubMed:25471886). Homooligomer, most likely homotetramer. Interacts with STOML3. Expressed in bladder, colon, and lung, but less abundant in kidney or skin (PubMed:20813920). Strong expression is observed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons (PubMed:20813920). Expressed in a wide range of cutaneous low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs), including Merkel cells and Meissner's corpuscles (PubMed:24717433, PubMed:25471886). Perinatal lethality. Conditional knockout in sensory neurons and Merkel cells causes severe defects in light-touch sensation, although detection of pain (nociception) is unaffected. Piezo comes from the Greek 'piesi' meaning pressure. Due to intron retention. Belongs to the PIEZO (TC 1.A.75) family. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus.