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MscS-like mechanosensitive channels in plants and microbes.

ABSTRACT: The challenge of osmotic stress is something all living organisms must face as a result of environmental dynamics. Over the past three decades, innovative research and cooperation across disciplines have irrefutably established that cells utilize mechanically gated ion channels to release osmolytes and prevent cell lysis during hypoosmotic stress. Early electrophysiological analysis of the inner membrane of Escherichia coli identified the presence of three distinct mechanosensitive activities. The subsequent discoveries of the genes responsible for two of these activities, the mechanosensitive channels of large (MscL) and small (MscS) conductance, led to the identification of two diverse families of mechanosensitive channels. The latter of these two families, the MscS family, consists of members from bacteria, archaea, fungi, and plants. Genetic and electrophysiological analysis of these family members has provided insight into how organisms use mechanosensitive channels for osmotic regulation in response to changing environmental and developmental circumstances. Furthermore, determining the crystal structure of E. coli MscS and several homologues in several conformational states has contributed to our understanding of the gating mechanisms of these channels. Here we summarize our current knowledge of MscS homologues from all three domains of life and address their structure, proposed physiological functions, electrophysiological behaviors, and topological diversity.

SUBMITTER: Wilson ME

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3791886 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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MscS-like mechanosensitive channels in plants and microbes.

Wilson Margaret E ME Maksaev Grigory G Haswell Elizabeth S ES

Biochemistry 20130815 34

The challenge of osmotic stress is something all living organisms must face as a result of environmental dynamics. Over the past three decades, innovative research and cooperation across disciplines have irrefutably established that cells utilize mechanically gated ion channels to release osmolytes and prevent cell lysis during hypoosmotic stress. Early electrophysiological analysis of the inner membrane of Escherichia coli identified the presence of three distinct mechanosensitive activities. T ...[more]

PMID: 23947546

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Project description:Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is an important respiratory pathogen that can cause porcine contagious pleuropneumonia (PCP), resulting in significant economic losses in swine industry. Microorganisms are subjected to drastic changes in environmental osmolarity. In order to alleviate the drastic rise or fall of osmolarity, cells activate mechanosensitive channels MscL and MscS through tension changes. MscL not only regulates osmotic pressure but also has been reported to secrete protein and uptake aminoglycoside antibiotic. However, MscL and MscS, as the most common mechanosensitive channels, have not been characterized in A. pleuropneumoniae. In this study, the osmotic shock assay showed that MscL increased sodium adaptation by regulating cell length. The results of MIC showed that deletion of mscL decreased the sensitivity of A. pleuropneumoniae to multiple antibiotics, while deletion of mscS rendered A. pleuropneumoniae hypersensitive to penicillin. Biofilm assay demonstrated that MscL contributed the biofilm formation but MscS did not. The results of animal assay showed that MscL and MscS did not affect virulence in vivo. In conclusion, MscL is essential for sodium hyperosmotic tolerance, biofilm formation, and resistance to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, penicillin, and oxacillin. On the other hand, MscS is only involved in oxacillin resistance.IMPORTANCEBacterial resistance to the external environment is a critical function that ensures the normal growth of bacteria. MscL and MscS play crucial roles in responding to changes in both external and internal environments. However, the function of MscL and MscS in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae has not yet been reported. Our study shows that MscL plays a significant role in osmotic adaptation, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation of A. pleuropneumoniae, while MscS only plays a role in antibiotic resistance. Our findings provide new insights into the functional characteristics of MscL and MscS in A. pleuropneumoniae. MscL and MscS play a role in antibiotic resistance and contribute to the development of antibiotics for A. pleuropneumoniae.

Dataset Information

MscS-like mechanosensitive channels in plants and microbes.

Publications

MscS-like mechanosensitive channels in plants and microbes.

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