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-Structure paper
Title | Architecture of the outer-membrane core complex from a conjugative type IV secretion system. |
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Journal, issue, pages | Nat Commun, Vol. 12, Issue 1, Page 6834, Year 2021 |
Publish date | Nov 25, 2021 |
Authors | Himani Amin / Aravindan Ilangovan / Tiago R D Costa / |
PubMed Abstract | Conjugation is one of the most important processes that bacteria utilize to spread antibiotic resistance genes among bacterial populations. Interbacterial DNA transfer requires a large double ...Conjugation is one of the most important processes that bacteria utilize to spread antibiotic resistance genes among bacterial populations. Interbacterial DNA transfer requires a large double membrane-spanning nanomachine called the type 4 secretion system (T4SS) made up of the inner-membrane complex (IMC), the outer-membrane core complex (OMCC) and the conjugative pilus. The iconic F plasmid-encoded T4SS has been central in understanding conjugation for several decades, however atomic details of its structure are not known. Here, we report the structure of a complete conjugative OMCC encoded by the pED208 plasmid from E. coli, solved by cryo-electron microscopy at 3.3 Å resolution. This 2.1 MDa complex has a unique arrangement with two radial concentric rings, each having a different symmetry eventually contributing to remarkable differences in protein stoichiometry and flexibility in comparison to other OMCCs. Our structure suggests that F-OMCC is a highly dynamic complex, with implications for pilus extension and retraction during conjugation. |
External links | Nat Commun / PubMed:34824240 / PubMed Central |
Methods | EM (single particle) |
Resolution | 3.34 - 5.7 Å |
Structure data | EMDB-12962, PDB-7okn: EMDB-12963, PDB-7oko: EMDB-13231: |
Source |
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Keywords | MEMBRANE PROTEIN / Type IV secretion system / F plasmid / outer-membrane core complex / conjugation |