Mechanosensitive ion channels: Old but new

TL;DR

This paper explores the thermodynamics and evolutionary aspects of mechanosensitive ion channels, linking their physical behavior with energy costs and information processing in cellular communication.

Contribution

It introduces nanoscale thermodynamics for ion channels and examines their energy landscapes and evolutionary roles in cellular signaling.

Findings

Defined work and heat in patch-clamp experiments.

Linked ion channel physics to evolution and information processing.

Provided a thermodynamic framework for mechanosensitive channels.

Abstract

Ion channels orchestrate the communication between cells and their environment. These are special proteins capable of changing their shape to allow ions to pass through membranes in response to stimuli like membrane tension. As the letters are written and exchanged in the form of ionic currents, the energetic cost of this communication is of interest to many. To this end, we introduce the nanoscale thermodynamics of mechanosensitive ion channels, which amounts to defining work and heat for traces obtained during patch-clamp experiments. We also discuss the interplay between ion channel physics and evolution by showing how information-processing capabilities are coupled with the energy landscapes of channels.