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Role of Lipid Bilayer Mechanics in Mechanosensation

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Mechanosensitive Ion Channels

Part of the book series: Mechanosensitivity in Cells and Tissues ((MECT,volume 1))

abstract

Mechanosensation is a key part of the sensory repertoire of a vast array of different cells and organisms. The molecular dissection of the origins of mechanosensation is rapidly advancing as a result of both structural and functional studies. One intriguing mode of mechanosensation results from tension in the membrane of the cell (or vesicle) of interest. The aim of this review is to catalogue recent work that uses a mix of continuum and statistical mechanics to explore the role of the lipid bilayer in the function of mechanosensitive channels that respond to membrane tension. The role of bilayer deformation will be explored in the context of the well known mechanosensitive channel MscL. Additionally, we make suggestions for bridging gaps between our current theoretical understanding and common experimental techniques.

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Authors
  1. Tristan Ursell
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  2. Jané Kondev
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  3. Dan Reeves
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  4. Paul A. Wiggins
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  5. Rob RobPhillips
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Russian State Medical University, Russia and Humboldt-University, Moscow, Berlin, Germany

    Andre Kamkin  & Irina Kiseleva  & 

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Ursell, T., Kondev, J., Reeves, D., Wiggins, P.A., RobPhillips, R. (2008). Role of Lipid Bilayer Mechanics in Mechanosensation. In: Kamkin, A., Kiseleva, I. (eds) Mechanosensitive Ion Channels. Mechanosensitivity in Cells and Tissues, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6426-5_2

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