Recent Publication Update

1. Research article 
- Tharaka D. Wijerathne , Aashish Bhatt , Wenjuan Jiang  , Yun L. Luo , Jerome J. Lacroix 
Title : Mammalian PIEZO channels rectify anionic currents
The Biophysical Journal (2024), CELL PRESS

Under physiological conditions, mammalian PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 channels primarily carry cation currents but also permeate chloride ions, with a Cl−/Na+ permeability ratio of ~0.2. Recent research reveals that PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 outwardly rectify chloride currents, favoring ion entry above their reversal potential, while sodium currents show minimal rectification. A PIEZO1 mutant (9K) demonstrates inward rectification due to positive electrostatic potential at intracellular pore fenestrations, as confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations. These findings highlight the inherent rectification of chloride currents in PIEZO channels and its modulation by pore electrostatics.

2. Research article
- Yichun Lin, Jerome J. Lacorix, James S. Sterling, Yun Lyna Luo
Title: The Biophysical Journal (2024)

Rectification, where ion flow is favored in one direction, is a common property of ion channels and nanopores.  Our group has designed nanopores to control potassium and chloride current rectification by altering electrostatic pore polarity. Using molecular dynamics simulations, they quantified how voltage changes the energy barriers for ion flux, showing that asymmetric energy barriers drive rectification. This phenomenon, influenced by ion type and pore polarity, does not require binding sites, flexible structures, or specific geometries, suggesting it may be a widespread mechanism in ion channels.