Processive dynamics of the usher assembly platform during uropathogenic Escherichia coli P pilus biogenesis

Minge Du, Zuanning Yuan, Glenn T. Werneburg, Nadine S. Henderson, Hemil Chauhan, Amanda Kovach, Gongpu Zhao, Jessica Johl, Huilin Li () and David G. Thanassi ()
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Minge Du: Van Andel Institute
Zuanning Yuan: Van Andel Institute
Glenn T. Werneburg: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook
Nadine S. Henderson: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook
Hemil Chauhan: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook
Amanda Kovach: Van Andel Institute
Gongpu Zhao: Van Andel Institute
Jessica Johl: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook
Huilin Li: Van Andel Institute
David G. Thanassi: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Uropathogenic Escherichia coli assemble surface structures termed pili or fimbriae to initiate infection of the urinary tract. P pili facilitate bacterial colonization of the kidney and pyelonephritis. P pili are assembled through the conserved chaperone-usher pathway. Much of the structural and functional understanding of the chaperone-usher pathway has been gained through investigations of type 1 pili, which promote binding to the bladder and cystitis. In contrast, the structural basis for P pilus biogenesis at the usher has remained elusive. This is in part due to the flexible and variable-length P pilus tip fiber, creating structural heterogeneity, and difficulties isolating stable P pilus assembly intermediates. Here, we circumvent these hindrances and determine cryo-electron microscopy structures of the activated PapC usher in the process of secreting two- and three-subunit P pilus assembly intermediates, revealing processive steps in P pilus biogenesis and capturing new conformational dynamics of the usher assembly machine.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25522-6

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