Mechanosensitive channel functions to alleviate the cell lysis of marine bacterium, Vibrio alginolyticus, by osmotic downshock

The mechanosensitive channel with large conductance of Escherichia coli is the first to be cloned among stretch-activated channels. Although its activ ity was characterized by a patch clamp method, a physiological role of the channel has not been proved. The marine bacterium, Vibrio alginolyticus, is sensitive to osmotic stress and cell lysis occurs under osmotic downshock. We introduced an mscL. gene into Vibrio alginolyticus, and the mechanosens itive channel with large conductance functions was found to alleviate cell lysis by osmotic downshock, This is the first report to show a physiologica l role of the mechanosensitive channel with large conductance, (C) 1999 Fed eration of European Biochemical Societies.