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Cryo-electron microscopy reveals two distinct type IV pili assembled by the same bacterium

Author

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  • Alexander Neuhaus

    (Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road
    College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geoffrey Pope, University of Exeter, Stocker Road)

  • Muniyandi Selvaraj

    (Department of Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Str. 3
    Laboratory of Structural Biology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, 00014 University of Helsinki)

  • Ralf Salzer

    (Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 9
    Structural Studies Division, Medical Research Council—Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Ave)

  • Julian D. Langer

    (Department of Molecular Membrane Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Str. 3
    Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Max-von-Laue Str. 4)

  • Kerstin Kruse

    (Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 9)

  • Lennart Kirchner

    (Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 9)

  • Kelly Sanders

    (Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road
    College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geoffrey Pope, University of Exeter, Stocker Road)

  • Bertram Daum

    (Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road
    College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geoffrey Pope, University of Exeter, Stocker Road)

  • Beate Averhoff

    (Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue Str. 9)

  • Vicki A. M. Gold

    (Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road
    College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geoffrey Pope, University of Exeter, Stocker Road)

Abstract

Type IV pili are flexible filaments on the surface of bacteria, consisting of a helical assembly of pilin proteins. They are involved in bacterial motility (twitching), surface adhesion, biofilm formation and DNA uptake (natural transformation). Here, we use cryo-electron microscopy and mass spectrometry to show that the bacterium Thermus thermophilus produces two forms of type IV pilus (‘wide’ and ‘narrow’), differing in structure and protein composition. Wide pili are composed of the major pilin PilA4, while narrow pili are composed of a so-far uncharacterized pilin which we name PilA5. Functional experiments indicate that PilA4 is required for natural transformation, while PilA5 is important for twitching motility.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Neuhaus & Muniyandi Selvaraj & Ralf Salzer & Julian D. Langer & Kerstin Kruse & Lennart Kirchner & Kelly Sanders & Bertram Daum & Beate Averhoff & Vicki A. M. Gold, 2020. "Cryo-electron microscopy reveals two distinct type IV pili assembled by the same bacterium," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-15650-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15650-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Lavinia Gambelli & Michail N. Isupov & Rebecca Conners & Mathew McLaren & Annett Bellack & Vicki Gold & Reinhard Rachel & Bertram Daum, 2022. "An archaellum filament composed of two alternating subunits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Sebastian A. G. Braus & Francesca L. Short & Stefanie Holz & Matthew J. M. Stedman & Alvar D. Gossert & Manuela K. Hospenthal, 2022. "The molecular basis of FimT-mediated DNA uptake during bacterial natural transformation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Robin Anger & Laetitia Pieulle & Meriam Shahin & Odile Valette & Hugo Guenno & Artemis Kosta & Vladimir Pelicic & Rémi Fronzes, 2023. "Structure of a heteropolymeric type 4 pilus from a monoderm bacterium," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Matthew C. Gaines & Michail N. Isupov & Shamphavi Sivabalasarma & Risat Ul Haque & Mathew McLaren & Clara L. Mollat & Patrick Tripp & Alexander Neuhaus & Vicki A. M. Gold & Sonja-Verena Albers & Bertr, 2022. "Electron cryo-microscopy reveals the structure of the archaeal thread filament," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

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