Force and Voltage Sensors in One Structure

Abstract
To respond to sudden changes in osmolality, most prokaryotes have mechanosensitive channels that open in response to tension and so prevent the cell-membrane from bursting. In their perspective, Bezanilla and Perozo discuss new work (Bass et al.) on the structure of a small-conductance mechanosensitive channel (MscS) that provides new insights into how the cell senses and responds to changes in tension and voltage.