The evolution of bacterial mechanosensitive channels

- The evolution of bacterial mechanosensitive channels is discussed.
- The molecular complexity of MscS channels is discussed in terms of gene fusion events creating modular channel proteins.
- The value of gene synteny analysis combined with primary sequence comparisons in describing a path of channel acquisition is described.
- The importance of MscS-like channels in calcium-regulated events in Bacillus and in Schizosaccharomyces pombe are discussed.