Work

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins Are Targeted to the Bam Complex by Two Parallel Mechanisms

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Proteins that are embedded in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria (OMPs) play an important role in protecting the cell from harmful chemicals. OMPs share a common architecture and often contain a conserved sequence motif (β motif) of unknown function. Although OMPs are escorted to the outer membrane by proteins called chaperones, the exact function of the chaperones is also unclear. Here, we show that the β motif and the chaperone SurA both target OMPs to the β barrel insertion machinery in the outer membrane. In contrast, the chaperone Skp delivers unintegrated OMPs to protein degradation complexes. Our results challenge the long-standing view that chaperones are functionally redundant and strongly suggest that they have specialized roles in OMP targeting and quality control.

Source: mBio

DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00597-21

Authors: Xu Wang, Janine H. Peterson, Harris D. Bernstein

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,900

Funder: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases