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Ionic regulation of MscK, a mechanosensitive channel from Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
Li Yuezhou,
Moe Paul C.,
Chandrasekaran Subramanian,
Booth Ian R.,
Blount Paul
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/cdf537
Subject(s) - library science , biology , computer science
Three gene products that form independent mechanosensitive channel activities have been identified in Escherichia coli . Two of these, MscL and MscS, play a vital role in allowing the cell to survive acute hypotonic stress. Much less is known of the third protein, MscK (KefA). Here, we characterize the MscK channel activity and compare it with the activity of its structural and functional homologue, MscS. While both show a slight anionic preference, MscK appears to be more sensitive to membrane tension. In addition, MscK, but not MscS activity appears to be regulated by external ionic environment, requiring not only membrane tension but also high concentrations of external K + , NH 4 + , Rb + or Cs + to gate; no activity is observed with Na + , Li + or N ‐methyl‐ D ‐glucamine (NMDG). An MscK gain‐of‐function mutant gates spontaneously in the presence of K + or similar ions, and will gate in the presence of Na + , Li + and NMDG, but only when stimulated by membrane tension. Increased sensitivity and the highly regulated nature of MscK suggest a more specialized physiological role than other bacterial mechanosensitive channels.