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Architecture of the outer-membrane core complex from a conjugative type IV secretion system

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  • Himani Amin

    (Imperial College)

  • Aravindan Ilangovan

    (Queen Mary University of London)

  • Tiago R. D. Costa

    (Imperial College)

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 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Himani Amin & Aravindan Ilangovan & Tiago R. D. Costa, 2021. "Architecture of the outer-membrane core complex from a conjugative type IV secretion system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27178-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27178-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diorge P. Souza & Gabriel U. Oka & Cristina E. Alvarez-Martinez & Alexandre W. Bisson-Filho & German Dunger & Lise Hobeika & Nayara S. Cavalcante & Marcos C. Alegria & Leandro R.S. Barbosa & Roberto K, 2015. "Bacterial killing via a type IV secretion system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, May.
    2. Vidya Chandran & Rémi Fronzes & Stéphane Duquerroy & Nora Cronin & Jorge Navaza & Gabriel Waksman, 2009. "Structure of the outer membrane complex of a type IV secretion system," Nature, Nature, vol. 462(7276), pages 1011-1015, December.
    3. Harry H. Low & Francesca Gubellini & Angel Rivera-Calzada & Nathalie Braun & Sarah Connery & Annick Dujeancourt & Fang Lu & Adam Redzej & Rémi Fronzes & Elena V. Orlova & Gabriel Waksman, 2014. "Structure of a type IV secretion system," Nature, Nature, vol. 508(7497), pages 550-553, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonasz B. Patkowski & Tobias Dahlberg & Himani Amin & Dharmender K. Gahlot & Sukhithasri Vijayrajratnam & Joseph P. Vogel & Matthew S. Francis & Joseph L. Baker & Magnus Andersson & Tiago R. D. Costa, 2023. "The F-pilus biomechanical adaptability accelerates conjugative dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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