CryoEM structure of the outer membrane secretin channel pIV from the f1 filamentous bacteriophage

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26610-3

Authors: Rebecca Conners (University of Exeter;) , Mathew Mclaren (University of Exeter) , Urszula Łapińska (University of Exeter) , Kelly Sanders (University of Exeter) , M. Rhia L. Stone (The University of Queensland) , Mark A. T. Blaskovich (The University of Queensland) , Stefano Pagliara (University of Exeter) , Bertram Daum (University of Exeter) , Jasna Rakonjac (Massey University) , Vicki A. M. Gold (University of Exeter)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature Communications , VOL 12

State: Published (Approved)
Published: November 2021
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 25452

Abstract: The Ff family of filamentous bacteriophages infect gram-negative bacteria, but do not cause lysis of their host cell. Instead, new virions are extruded via the phage-encoded pIV protein, which has homology with bacterial secretins. Here, we determine the structure of pIV from the f1 filamentous bacteriophage at 2.7 Å resolution by cryo-electron microscopy, the first near-atomic structure of a phage secretin. Fifteen f1 pIV subunits assemble to form a gated channel in the bacterial outer membrane, with associated soluble domains projecting into the periplasm. We model channel opening and propose a mechanism for phage egress. By single-cell microfluidics experiments, we demonstrate the potential for secretins such as pIV to be used as adjuvants to increase the uptake and efficacy of antibiotics in bacteria. Finally, we compare the f1 pIV structure to its homologues to reveal similarities and differences between phage and bacterial secretins.

Journal Keywords: Cryoelectron microscopy; Membrane proteins; Permeation and transport; Phage biology

Diamond Keywords: Bacteriophages; Viruses

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials

Diamond Offline Facilities: Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC)
Instruments: Krios I-Titan Krios I at Diamond

Added On: 10/11/2021 08:30

Documents:
s41467-021-26610-3.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Structural biology Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Microscopy Electron Microscopy (EM) Cryo Electron Microscopy (Cryo EM)