Gating the bacterial mechanosensitive channel MscL invivo.

ABSTRACT: YggB and MscL are the major mechanosensitive channels in Escherichia coli, and each can rescue the double knockout mutant from osmotic downshock. However, the role of MscL in wild-type bacteria is in question, not only because cells without MscL survive severe osmotic downshocks, but because 1.8 times more suction is required to gate MscL than YggB under patch clamp. Here, we extend previous evidence [Ajouz, B., Berrier, C., Garrigues, A., Besnard, M. & Ghazi, A. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 26670-26674] to show that downshock gates MscL in vivo even in the presence of YggB. We have made this determination by engineering a channel we can structurally modify in vivo (Leu-19-->Cys MscL). MscLs with charges in their constrictions are known to open easily and transiently to substates and stop ce

SUBMITTER: Batiza AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC122824 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature