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Molecular model of a lattice of signalling proteins involved in bacterial chemotaxis

Nature Cell Biology volume 2, pages 792–796 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Coliform bacteria detect chemical attractants by means of a membrane-associated cluster of receptors and signalling molecules. We have used recently determined molecular structures, in conjunction with plastic models generated by three-dimensional printer technology, to predict how the proteins of the complex are arranged in relation to the plasma membrane. The proposed structure is a regular two-dimensional lattice in which the cytoplasmic ends of chemotactic-receptor dimers are inserted into a hexagonal array of CheA and CheW molecules. This structure creates separate compartments for adaptation and downstream signalling, and indicates a possible basis for the spread of activity within the cluster.

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Figure 1: Core region of CheA.
Figure 2: Proposed binding of CheA to CheW.
Figure 3: Proposed binding of CheW to Tsr.
Figure 4: Structural unit of the lattice.
Figure 5: Hexagonal network.

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Acknowledgements

We thank F. W. Dahlquist, A. M. Bilwes and S. H. Kim for atomic coordinates of chemotaxis proteins, and F. W. Dahlquist for criticism of the manuscript. T.S.S. was supported by a Glaxo International Scholarship and an ORS Award from CVCP. N.L.N. was supported by an EMBO long-term fellowship. This work was supported by a grant from the UK Medical Research Council (to D.B.).

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  1. Thomas S. Shimizu and Nicolas Le Novère: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK

    Thomas S. Shimizu, Nicolas Le Novère, Matthew D. Levin & Dennis Bray

  2. The Randall Centre, New Hunt's House, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL , UK

    Andrew J. Beavil & Brian J. Sutton

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Correspondence to Dennis Bray.

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Shimizu, T., Le Novère, N., Levin, M. et al. Molecular model of a lattice of signalling proteins involved in bacterial chemotaxis. Nat Cell Biol 2, 792–796 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35041030

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