Fig. 3.

Two types of mechanosensitive channel activities MscS and MscL in the inner membrane of E. coli. a The schematic images depicting patch-clamp recording from the E. coli giant spheroplasts. E. coli cells are enlarged, and the inside-out excised patch configuration is generated from the cell-attached configuration. Mechanosensitive channels are activated by applying suction to the patch membrane to increase membrane tension. b The current traces of the mechanosensitive channels MscS and MscL in the E. coli membrane. Upper and lower traces show the channel currents and the negative pressure applied to the membrane, respectively. MscS is always activated first at pressure level P_S mmHg followed by MscL activation at the pressure level of P_L mmHg