Journal article
Archaeal flagella, bacterial flagella and type IV pili: A comparison of genes and posttranslational modifications
Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol.11(3-5), pp.167-191
2006
Abstract
The archaeal flagellum is a unique motility organelle. While superficially similar to the bacterial flagellum, several similarities have been reported between the archaeal flagellum and the bacterial type IV pilus system. These include the multiflagellin nature of the flagellar filament, N-terminal sequence similarities between archaeal flagellins and bacterial type IV pilins, as well as the presence of homologous proteins in the two systems. Recent advances in archaeal flagella research add to the growing list of similarities. First, the preflagellin peptidase that is responsible for processing the N-terminal signal peptide in preflagellins has been identified. The preflagellin peptidase is a membrane-bound enzyme topologically similar to its counterpart in the type IV pilus system (prepilin peptidase); the two enzymes are demonstrated to utilize the same catalytic mechanism. Second, it has been suggested that the archaeal flagellum and the bacterial type IV pilus share a similar mode of assembly. While bacterial flagellins and type IV pilins can be modified with O-linked glycans, N-linked glycans have recently been reported on archaeal flagellins. This mode of glycosylation, as well as the observation that the archaeal flagellum lacks a central channel, are both consistent with the proposed assembly model. On the other hand, the failure to identify other genes involved in archaeal flagellation by homology searches likely implies a novel aspect of the archaeal flagellar system. These interesting features remain to be deciphered through continued research. Such knowledge would be invaluable to motility and protein export studies in the Archaea. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG.
Details
- Title
- Archaeal flagella, bacterial flagella and type IV pili: A comparison of genes and posttranslational modifications
- Authors
- S Y M Ng (Author) - Queen's University, CanadaBonnie L Chaban (Author) - Queen's University, CanadaK F Jarrell (Author) - Queen's University, Canada
- Publication details
- Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol.11(3-5), pp.167-191
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Date published
- 2006
- DOI
- 10.1159/000094053
- ISSN
- 1464-1801
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450555702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
312 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
- Microbiology
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites