id: Pfam:PF12166
pfam_id: PF12166
name: Piezo non-specific cation channel, cap domain
short_name: Piezo_cap
seed_status: EX_DUF
characterization_status: UNSCORED
curation_status: SEEDED
source_url: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/api/entry/pfam/PF12166
counters:
  proteins: 5773
  matches: 6167
  proteomes: 1708
  taxa: 5363
  structures: 30
  alphafold_models: 930
  domain_architectures: 138
provenance:
  snapshot_id: interpro-pfam-duf-2026-10-10
  path: data/worklists/interpro-pfam-duf-2026-10-10.json
  sha256: 17fb625876c9326ed284263a47bcd84e0d7844a31c040dc06cd2260c36f1c383
  generated_at: '2026-10-10T07:44:21.614711Z'
  source_url: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/api/entry/pfam/
interpro_id: InterPro:IPR031334
description: This is an extracellular domain at the C-terminus of Piezo, or FAM38 mechanosensitive non-specific
  cation channel proteins [[cite:PUB00075636],[cite:PUB00063634]]. Piezo is a family of proteins that
  form mechanosensitive non-specific cation channels whose conductance is higher for Li+, intermediate
  for Na+ and lowest for Li+. Divalent ions except for Mn2+ permeate the channel but more slowly than
  monovalent ions and can reduce K+ currents [[cite:PUB00075636],[cite:PUB00063634],[cite:PUB00155396],[cite:PUB00155399]].
  These channels have a homotrimeric three-blade propeller-shaped structure that use a cap-motion and
  plug-and-latch mechanism to gate their ion-conducting pathways [[cite:PUB00063634],[cite:PUB00155396],[cite:PUB00155399]].
  Each protomer consists of 38 TM helices that form unusual non-planar blades, and an extracellular cap-like
  structure, the latter represented in this entry [[cite:PUB00063634],[cite:PUB00155396],[cite:PUB00155399],[cite:PUB00155398]].
  This domain is embedded in the centre of the trimer and may control the transmembrane constriction site
  suggested to act as a transmembrane gate [[cite:PUB00155398]]. This domain adopts a distinctive beta-sandwich
  fold [[cite:PUB00063634],[cite:PUB00155396],[cite:PUB00155399],[cite:PUB00155397],[cite:PUB00155398]].