title: Role of the Membrane for Mechanosensing by Tethered Channels.
abstract: Biologically important membrane channels are gated by force at attached tethers. Here, we generically characterize the nontrivial interplay of force, membrane tension, and channel deformations that can affect gating. A central finding is that minute conical channel deformation under force leads to significant energy release during opening. We also calculate channel-channel interactions and show that they can amplify the force sensitivity of tethered channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sabass
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
authors.forename: Howard A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008566:Membranes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels