Intestinal enteroendocrine cells rely on ryanodine and IP 3 calcium store receptors for mechanotransduction.

signalling, 5-HT release, and epithelial secretion. Abstract figure legend Mechano-sensitive enteroendocrine cells (EECs) found in the intestinal epithelium express the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo2. Force activates Piezo2 channels, which upon activation generate a very rapidly activating and inactivating (∼10 msec) cationic receptor current. Yet, rapid Piezo2 receptor currents lead to a large and persistent increase in intracellular calcium (Ca2+) that lasts many seconds to sometimes minutes, suggesting signal amplification. This study has found that the signal amplification involves calcium induced calcium release (CICR) mechanisms activated through intracellular stores receptors, RyR3 and IP3Rs. Activation of these receptors leads to large and sustained increase in Ca2+ that results in the release of serotonin (5-HT) that plays an important role in many local and systemic processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.