Structural studies of T4S systems by electron microscopy

Adam Redzej; Gabriel Waksman; Elena V Orlova; Adam Redzej; Gabriel Waksman; Elena V Orlova

doi:10.3934/biophy.2015.2.184

AIMS Biophysics

2015, Volume 2, Issue 2: 184-199. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2015.2.184

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Structural studies of T4S systems by electron microscopy

Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK

Received: 20 March 2015 Accepted: 21 May 2015 Published: 15 June 2015

Type IV secretion (T4S) systems are large dynamic nanomachines that transport DNA and/or proteins through the membranes of bacteria. Analysis of T4S system architecture is an extremely challenging task taking into account their multi protein organisation and lack of overall global symmetry. Nonetheless the last decade demonstrated an amazing progress achieved by X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. In this review we present a structural analysis of this dynamic complex based on recent advances in biochemical, biophysical and structural studies.
- T4S system,
- electron microscopy,
- structural analysis,
- mechanism of action
Citation: Adam Redzej, Gabriel Waksman, Elena V Orlova. Structural studies of T4S systems by electron microscopy[J]. AIMS Biophysics, 2015, 2(2): 184-199. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2015.2.184

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Abstract

Type IV secretion (T4S) systems are large dynamic nanomachines that transport DNA and/or proteins through the membranes of bacteria. Analysis of T4S system architecture is an extremely challenging task taking into account their multi protein organisation and lack of overall global symmetry. Nonetheless the last decade demonstrated an amazing progress achieved by X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. In this review we present a structural analysis of this dynamic complex based on recent advances in biochemical, biophysical and structural studies.

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