eCommons

 

Structural, Biochemical And Biophysical Studies Of The Bacterial Flagellar Switch Complex

Other Titles

Abstract

Many bacteria use flagella operated by rotary motors to swim. These complex structures contain more than 25 different proteins that self assemble to generate torque and regulate the sense of flagellar rotation. A key molecular event during chemotaxis is the interaction between the phosphorylated response regulator CheY (CheY-P) and the flagellar switch complex, which serves to switch the direction of flagellar rotation between clockwise and counterclockwise, in to order tumble or swim smoothly, respectively. The flagellar switch complex, composed of FliM, FliG and FliN, is responsible for the changes in the direction of rotation of the flagella, torque generation and flagellar assembly. FliM is the switch complex component that interacts with CheY-P and with the other two components of the switch complex and it is known to be important for flagellar assembly. FliG is known to interact with the motor complexes MotAB, which provide the energy necessary for torque generation. However, the interaction FliG-FliM is not primarily involved in flagellar assembly or torque generation but instead might play a critical role in switching. To understand the mechanism of flagellar switching and its relationship to torque generation and signal amplification, I have cloned, expressed, purified, characterized and crystallized for the first time a two-component flagellar switch complex FliM/FliG. The structure is in agreement with biochemical and mutational experiments in terms of interaction interface between FliG and FliM. Also, the structure shows an interesting conformation of FliG middle domain that is different to the one previously reported. A FliM dimer is reported and extensive biophysical studies have being performed to try to understand FliG - mediated FliM self-assembly and how relevant it is to switching. Our crystal structure and biochemical studies provide new insights into a more complete model for the molecular mechanism of flagellar motor switching.

Journal / Series

Volume & Issue

Description

Sponsorship

Date Issued

2010-08-05T16:08:35Z

Publisher

Keywords

Location

Effective Date

Expiration Date

Sector

Employer

Union

Union Local

NAICS

Number of Workers

Committee Chair

Committee Co-Chair

Committee Member

Degree Discipline

Degree Name

Degree Level

Related Version

Related DOI

Related To

Related Part

Based on Related Item

Has Other Format(s)

Part of Related Item

Related To

Related Publication(s)

Link(s) to Related Publication(s)

References

Link(s) to Reference(s)

Previously Published As

Government Document

ISBN

ISMN

ISSN

Other Identifiers

Rights

Rights URI

Types

dissertation or thesis

Accessibility Feature

Accessibility Hazard

Accessibility Summary

Link(s) to Catalog Record