| Popis: |
Publisher Summary The cytoplasmic domain of the bacterial mechanosensitive (MS) channel of small conductance (MscS) is shaped by its C‐termini forming a large chamber filled with water. Studies indicate that the chamber is a dynamic structure that undergoes severe conformational changes on the channel gating. Various electrophysiological and biochemical methods combined with molecular biology have been used to investigate this phenomenon and the results are presented in this chapter. The size of the chamber and its shape resemble cytoplasmic domains from eukaryotic non‐MS channels whose function in stabilization of the channel closed state is established. Analogous role of the MscS cytoplasmic chamber is discussed. Bacterial MS channels protect these cells against hypoosmotic shock. Two types of MS channels from the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli , MscL and MscS (the large and small conductance MS channel, respectively), play an essential role in the physiology of this bacterium, allowing efflux of solutes from the cytoplasm when osmolarity of the external medium decreases. |
