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Structural biology

Protein crystal mimics reality

Nature volume 410, pages 321–322 (2001)Cite this article

Flagellin, a protein in the bacterial flagellar motor, has resisted attempts at three-dimensional crystallization — until now. The crystal structure offers hints as to how filaments are able to switch helical states.

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Figure 1: A comparison of the way in which flagellin proteins (represented by hands) incorporate themselves into the flagellar filament that propels bacteria, and into a three-dimensional crystal.

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  1. Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 266 Whitney Avenue, PO Box 208114, New Haven, 06520-8114, Connecticut, USA

    Robert M. Macnab

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  1. Robert M. Macnab
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Correspondence to Robert M. Macnab.

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Macnab, R. Protein crystal mimics reality. Nature 410, 321–322 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35066677

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