Response of heterologously expressed pressure sensor-actuator-modulator macromolecule to external mechanical stress

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 8; p. e29195
• Main Authors: Batabyal, Subrata, Idigo, Chinenye, Narcisse, Darryl, Dibas, Adnan, Mohanty, Samarendra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 30.04.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Mechanosensitive channel; Osmoregulatory-channel; Pressure regulator; Osmoregulatory-channel; Mechanosensitive channel; Pressure regulator
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29195

Cells from different organs in the body experience a range of mechanical and osmotic pressures that change in various diseases, including neurological, cardiovascular, ophthalmological, and renal diseases. Here, we demonstrate the use of an engineered Sensor-Actuator-Modulator (SAM) of microbial origin derived from a mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) for sensing external mechanical stress and modulating activities of mammalian cells. SAM is reliably expressed in the mammalian cell membrane and acts as a tension-activated pressure release valve. Further, the activities of heterologously expressed SAM in mammalian cells could be modulated by osmotic pressure. A comparison of the mechanosensitive activities of SAM-variants from different microbial origins shows differential inward current and dye uptake in response to mechanical stress exerted by hypo-osmotic shock. The use of SAM channels as mechanical stress-activated modulators in mammalian cells could provide new therapeutic approaches for treating disorders related to mechanical or osmotic pressure.