Activation of the Piezo1 channel stimulates protein kinase D and migration in human aortic endothelial cells

Protein kinase D (PKD) emerged as a key node in cellular signaling, but its role in mechanobiology remains unknown. Here, we show that stimulation of the mechanosensitive Piezo1 ion channel markedly increases PKD multisite phosphorylation, indicative of activation. Opening of Piezo1 also promotes histone deacetylase (HDAC)7 phosphorylation and endothelial cell migration in a PKD-dependent manner. The results implicate PKD signaling in the function of Piezo 1 and identify a Piezo1/Ca 2+ /PKC/PKD/HDA7 signaling pathway in endothelial cells.