Mechanosensitive behavior of bacterial cyclic nucleotide gated (bCNG) ion channels: Insights into the mechanism of channel gating in the mechanosensitive channel of small conductance superfamily

► Full-length bCNG channels do not rescue bacteria from osmotic downshock. ► Removal of the binding domain restores limited mechanosensation to bCNG channels. ► C-terminal rearrangement in the MscS superfamily can drive channel gating. ► MscS sequence conservation defines superfamily members, but not mechanosensation.