Breaking the hydrophobicity of the MscL pore: insights into a charge-induced gating mechanism.

ABSTRACT: The mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) is a protein that responds to membrane tension by opening a transient pore during osmotic downshock. Due to its large pore size and functional reconstitution into lipid membranes, MscL has been proposed as a promising artificial nanovalve suitable for biotechnological applications. For example, site-specific mutations and tailored chemical modifications have shown how MscL channel gating can be triggered in the absence of tension by introducing charged residues at the hydrophobic pore level. Recently, engineered MscL proteins responsive to stimuli like pH or light have been reported. Inspired by experiments, we present a thorough computational study aiming at describing, with atomistic detail, the artificial gating mechanism and the

SUBMITTER: Chandramouli B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4380313 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature