Component of mechanosensitive channel required for the mechanosensitive currents. Plays a key role in epithelial cell adhesion by maintaining integrin activation through R-Ras recruitment to the ER, most probably in its activated state, and subsequent stimulation of calpain signaling.

Expressed in numerous tissues. In normal brain, expressed exclusively in neurons, not in astrocytes. In Alzheimer disease brains, expressed in about half of the activated astrocytes located around classical senile plaques. In Parkinson disease substantia nigra, not detected in melanin-containing neurons nor in activated astrocytes.

Belongs to the PIEZO family.

Endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment membrane. Cell membrane.