United in diversity: mechanosensitive ion channels in plants.
Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels are a common mechanism for perceiving and responding to mechanical force. This class of mechanoreceptors is capable of transducing membrane tension directly into ion flux. In plant systems, MS ion channels have been proposed to play a wide array of roles, from the perception of touch and gravity to the osmotic homeostasis of intracellular organelles. Three families of plant MS ion channels have been identified: the MscS-like (MSL), Mid1-complementing activity (MCA), and two-pore potassium (TPK) families. Channels from these families vary widely in structure and function, localize to multiple cellular compartments, and conduct chloride, calcium, and/or potassium ions. However, they are still likely to represent only a fraction of the MS ion channel diversity in plant systems.
['Hamilton|Eric S|ES|', 'Schlegel|Angela M|AM|', 'Haswell|Elizabeth S|ES|']
D002118:Calcium D007473:Ion Channels D017136:Ion Transport D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular D010940:Plant Proteins D010944:Plants D011188:Potassium
MSL MCA MscS TPK1 mechanotransduction