Architecture of the outer-membrane core complex from a conjugative type IV secretion system

Himani Amin, Aravindan Ilangovan () and Tiago R. D. Costa ()
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Himani Amin: Imperial College
Aravindan Ilangovan: Queen Mary University of London
Tiago R. D. Costa: Imperial College

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

Abstract: Abstract Conjugation is one of the most important processes that bacteria utilize to spread antibiotic resistance genes among bacterial populations. Interbacterial DNA transfer requires a large double membrane-spanning nanomachine called the type 4 secretion system (T4SS) made up of the inner-membrane complex (IMC), the outer-membrane core complex (OMCC) and the conjugative pilus. The iconic F plasmid-encoded T4SS has been central in understanding conjugation for several decades, however atomic details of its structure are not known. Here, we report the structure of a complete conjugative OMCC encoded by the pED208 plasmid from E. coli, solved by cryo-electron microscopy at 3.3 Å resolution. This 2.1 MDa complex has a unique arrangement with two radial concentric rings, each having a different symmetry eventually contributing to remarkable differences in protein stoichiometry and flexibility in comparison to other OMCCs. Our structure suggests that F-OMCC is a highly dynamic complex, with implications for pilus extension and retraction during conjugation.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27178-8

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