Review: Mechanosensitive ion channels ($)

Ion channels are proteins that regulate the passage of ions across membranes. Ion channels are regulated in diverse ways – some are calcium-regulated, some are pH sensitive, some are charge sensitive, and some are sensitive to mechanical stimulation i.e., membrane tension. Basu and Haswell review mechanosensitive ion channels in plants, which have been implicated in responses to osmotic pressure, touch, gravity and other forces. Insights from other organisms suggest models for their regulation, such as the “force from lipid” concept, and areas for additional study. A major future challenge is to examine plant mechanosensitive ion channel function in their native contexts. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 10.1016/j.pbi.2017.07.002