In our recent article published in the Structure (Cell Press), entitled: “Monitoring the conformational ensemble and lipid environment of a mechanosensitive channel under cyclodextrin-induced membrane tension” we used PELDOR (or DEER) spectroscopy to monitor the entire conformational ensemble of the MscS mechanosensitive channel, NMR spectroscopy to probe its lipid environment and single channel electrophysiology to assess its function under “molecular” membrane tension. The latter was induced by molecular means using cyclodextrin. We found that when cyclodextrin is added to nanodisc-reconstituted MscS at specific ratios can generate membrane tension and activate MscS. Depending on the cyclodextrin to lipid ratio distinct MscS conducting states could be accessed. More details about this article could be found here.
