Abstract

The folding of transmembrane proteins into the outer membrane presents formidable challenges to Gram-negative bacteria. These proteins must migrate from the cytoplasm, through the inner membrane and into the periplasm, before being recognized by the -barrel assembly machinery, which mediates efficient insertion of folded -barrels into the outer membrane. Recent discoveries of component structures and accessory interactions of this complex are yielding insights into how cells fold membrane proteins. Here, we discuss how these structures illuminate the mechanisms responsible for the biogenesis of outer membrane proteins.

Author affiliations

1. Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies, School of Cancer Sciences, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
2. Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.

Correspondence to: Ian R. Henderson² Email: i.r.henderson@bham.ac.uk

Published online 2 February 2009

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