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Stretch-activated composite ion channels in Bacillus subtilis.

M Zoratti1, V Petronilli, I Szabo

  • 1Centro CNR Fisiologia Mitocondri, Dipartimento di Biologia, Padova, Italy.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|April 30, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Giant protoplast membranes of Bacillus subtilis contain stretch-activated ion channels. These channels show cooperative behavior and may decay into smaller components after repeated stretching.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Bacillus subtilis giant protoplasts are model systems for studying bacterial cell envelopes.
  • Ion channels play critical roles in cellular homeostasis and response to mechanical stimuli.
  • Understanding mechanosensitive channels is crucial for cell physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and properties of ion-conducting pores in Bacillus subtilis giant protoplast membranes.
  • To characterize the behavior of stretch-activated channels under mechanical stress.
  • To explore the potential dynamics and structural components of these channels.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the patch-clamp technique to record electrical activity across the protoplast membrane.

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  • Applied mechanical stretch to the membrane to induce channel activation.
  • Analyzed channel conductance, substate levels, and cooperative behavior.

    • Main Results:

    • Identified ion-conducting pores activated by membrane stretch in Bacillus subtilis giant protoplasts.
    • Observed multiple conductances in the nS range, indicating the presence of large channels.
    • Detected substate levels and cooperative channel gating, suggesting channel aggregation.
    • Documented spontaneous channel activity and a time-dependent decay into lower-conductance species after repeated stretch cycles.

    Conclusions:

    • Bacillus subtilis giant protoplasts possess stretch-activated ion channels with complex gating properties.
    • These channels exhibit cooperative behavior and may represent aggregates of smaller functional units.
    • The observed decay suggests a dynamic nature of these channels, potentially breaking down into constituent components.