Barbat B, Douzi B, Voulhoux R. Structural lessons on bacterial secretins.
Biochimie 2023;
205:110-116. [PMID:
36096236 DOI:
10.1016/j.biochi.2022.08.019]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To exchange and communicate with their surroundings, bacteria have evolved multiple active and passive mechanisms for trans-envelope transport. Among the pore-forming complexes found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, secretins are distinctive homo-oligomeric channels dedicated to the active translocation of voluminous structures such as folded proteins, assembled fibers, virus particles or DNA. Members of the bacterial secretin family share a common cylinder-shaped structure with a gated pore-forming part inserted in the outer membrane, and a periplasmic channel connected to the inner membrane components of the corresponding nanomachine. In this mini-review, we will present what recently determined 3D structures have told us about the mechanisms of translocation through secretins of large substrates to the bacterial surface or in the extracellular milieu.
Collapse