Wza the translocon for E. coli capsular polysaccharides defines a new class of membrane protein

Dong, Changjiang, Beis, Konstantinos, Nesper, Jutta, Brunkan-Lamontagne, Anne L, Clarke, Bradley R, Whitfield, Chris and Naismith, James H (2006) Wza the translocon for E. coli capsular polysaccharides defines a new class of membrane protein. Nature, 444 (7116). pp. 226-9. ISSN 0028-0836

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Abstract

Many types of bacteria produce extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs). Some are secreted polymers and show only limited association with the cell surface, whereas others are firmly attached to the cell surface and form a discrete structural layer, the capsule, which envelopes the cell and allows the bacteria to evade or counteract the host immune system. EPSs have critical roles in bacterial colonization of surfaces, such as epithelia and medical implants; in addition some EPSs have important industrial and biomedical applications in their own right. Here we describe the 2.26 A resolution structure of the 340 kDa octamer of Wza, an integral outer membrane lipoprotein, which is essential for group 1 capsule export in Escherichia coli. The transmembrane region is a novel alpha-helical barrel. The bulk of the Wza structure is located in the periplasm and comprises three novel domains forming a large central cavity. Wza is open to the extracellular environment but closed to the periplasm. We propose a route and mechanism for translocation of the capsular polysaccharide. This work may provide insight into the export of other large polar molecules such as DNA and proteins.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	bacterial capsules,bacterial outer membrane proteins,biological transport,escherichia coli,escherichia coli proteins,hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions,models, molecular,polysaccharides, bacterial,protein conformation,surface properties
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2014 12:58
Last Modified:	20 Mar 2024 00:59
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/50985
DOI:	10.1038/nature05267

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