Structure and mechanism in prokaryotic mechanosensitive channels

Mechanosensitive channels function as electromechanical switches with the capability to sense the physical state of lipid bilayers. The X-ray crystal structures of MscL and MscS offer a unique opportunity to identify the types of protein motions associated with the opening and closing of these structurally unrelated channels, while providing the framework to address a mechanism of tension sensing that is defined by channel–lipid interactions. Recent functional, structural and dynamic data offer fresh insights into the molecular basis of gating for these membrane proteins.