Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Microbiology: ‘Export’ Protein Structure Unveiled
St. Andrews University (UK), 13 November: Researchers have deciphered 3-dimensional structure of Wza, an integral outer-membrane protein that is linked to virulence.
Many bacteria possess an external ‘capsule’ of secreted polysaccharide molecules that help them to colonize surfaces. Wza is responsible for moving these polysaccharides from the inside to the outside of the bacteria where they can function. The capsule is effectively the first point of contact between host and pathogen, making it a potential target for vaccines and other therapies.
The X-ray crystal structure, unveiled online this week in Nature, reveals that most of Wza is located in the space between the inner plasma membrane and the outer cellular membrane or periplasm. The protein, described by James H. Naismith and colleagues, contains a large central cavity that the polysaccharides are transported through. Understanding its structure should also contribute to a broader understanding of how other large polar molecules, such as DNA and proteins, are exported out of cells.
(ResearchSEA)
Many bacteria possess an external ‘capsule’ of secreted polysaccharide molecules that help them to colonize surfaces. Wza is responsible for moving these polysaccharides from the inside to the outside of the bacteria where they can function. The capsule is effectively the first point of contact between host and pathogen, making it a potential target for vaccines and other therapies.
The X-ray crystal structure, unveiled online this week in Nature, reveals that most of Wza is located in the space between the inner plasma membrane and the outer cellular membrane or periplasm. The protein, described by James H. Naismith and colleagues, contains a large central cavity that the polysaccharides are transported through. Understanding its structure should also contribute to a broader understanding of how other large polar molecules, such as DNA and proteins, are exported out of cells.
(ResearchSEA)
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