Work

Exceptionally widespread nanomachines composed of type IV pilins: the prokaryotic Swiss Army knives

Year: 2014

Type: review

Abstract: Prokaryotes have engineered sophisticated surface nanomachines that have allowed them to colonize Earth and thrive even in extreme environments. Filamentous machineries composed of type IV pilins, which are associated with an amazing array of properties ranging from motility to electric conductance, are arguably the most widespread since distinctive proteins dedicated to their biogenesis are found in most known species of prokaryotes. Several decades of investigations, starting with type IV pili and then a variety of related systems both in bacteria and archaea, have outlined common molecular and structural bases for these nanomachines. Using type IV pili as a paradigm, we will highlight in this review common aspects and key biological differences of this group of filamentous structures.

Source: FEMS Microbiology Reviews

DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuu001

Authors: Jamie-Lee Berry, Vladimir Pelicic

Institution: Imperial College London

Language: English

Topic: Biochemical and Structural Characterization

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Estimated APC paid: $3,086

Funders: Imperial College London, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council