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Title: Low Resolution Structure and Dynamics of a Colicin-Receptor Complex Determined by Neutron Scattering

Journal Article · · Journal of Biological Chemistry
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  1. Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Oxford (United Kingdom). Rutherford Appleton Lab., ISIS Neutron Source
  2. Univ. of Newcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (United Kingdom). Inst. for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, The Medical School
  3. Inst. Laue Langevin, Grenoble (France)
  4. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Structural Molecular Biology (CSMB)

Proteins that translocate across cell membranes need to overcome a significant hydrophobic barrier. This is usually accomplished via specialized protein complexes, which provide a polar transmembrane pore. Exceptions to this include bacterial toxins, which insert into and cross the lipid bilayer itself. We are studying the mechanism by which large antibacterial proteins enter Escherichia coli via specific outer membrane proteins. Here we describe the use of neutron scattering to investigate the interaction of colicin N with its outer membrane receptor protein OmpF. The positions of lipids, colicin N, and OmpF were separately resolved within complex structures by the use of selective deuteration. Neutron reflectivity showed, in real time, that OmpF mediates the insertion of colicin N into lipid monolayers. Here, this data were complemented by Brewster Angle Microscopy images, which showed a lateral association of OmpF in the presence of colicin N. Small angle neutron scattering experiments then defined the three-dimensional structure of the colicin N-OmpF complex. This revealed that colicin N unfolds and binds to the OmpF-lipid interface. The implications of this unfolding step for colicin translocation across membranes are discussed.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1032832
Journal Information:
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 287, Issue 1; ISSN 0021-9258
Publisher:
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 49 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (6)

The unstructured domain of colicin N kills E scherichia coli journal June 2013
Gram-negative trimeric porins have specific LPS binding sites that are essential for porin biogenesis journal August 2016
Determining the amphipol distribution within membrane-protein fibre samples using small-angle neutron scattering journal November 2018
Invisible detergents for structure determination of membrane proteins by small‐angle neutron scattering journal December 2017
Translocation trumps receptor binding in colicin entry into Escherichia coli journal November 2012
On mechanisms of colicin import: the outer membrane quandary journal December 2018