Fig. 10. Loss of Piezo2 in proprioceptive neuron results in spine malalignment and hip dysplasia.

In the suggested model, Piezo2 is part of the mechanism whereby the proprioceptive system regulates the activity of skeletal muscles. In the presence of Piezo2 (top), these signals maintain proper spine alignment and hip joint morphogenesis. However, the loss of Piezo2 in proprioceptive neurons (bottom) disrupts this signaling, which results in spinal malalignment and aberrant hip joint morphology.