A mechanosensitive ion channel changes gating in response to mechanical conditions transmitted through the membrane or associated structures. A changed calcium signal alone does not identify which channel or mechanical coupling was responsible.
A large-conductance bacterial mechanosensitive channel serving as an emergency release pathway under high membrane tension.
Membrane tension influences opening, allowing rapid solute efflux that can reduce excessive water-driven swelling. The channel therefore acts as a pressure-relief mechanism, converting a mechanical change in the membrane into altered permeability. [ref]
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition by Bruce Alberts and others. Chapters 3, 6 and 15, protein function, translation and cell signalling
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