Mechanosensitive channel of large conductance
Anna Kloda1, Evgeny Petrov, Grischa R Meyer
1School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. a.kloda@uq.edu.au
Abstract:
Microbial cells constitutively express the Large Conductance Mechanosensitive Channel which opens in response to stretch forces in the lipid bilayer. The channel protein forms a homopentamer with each subunit containing two transmembrane regions and gates via the bilayer mechanism evoked by hydrophobic mismatch and changes in the membrane curvature and/or transbilayer pressure profile. During the stationary phase and during osmotic shock the channel protein is up-regulated to prevent cell lysis. Pharmacological potential of MscL may involve discovery of new age antibiotics to combat multiple drug-resistant bacterial strains.
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