Structural insights into the secretin complex of a type IVb pilus system

Chenchen Pei, Hui Sun, Yinliang Qi, Xiaomei Li, Zhixiong Fang, Manjuan Tang, Rujing Zhang, Zhaofeng Yan () and Meng Yin ()
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Chenchen Pei: Hunan University
Hui Sun: Hunan University
Yinliang Qi: Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University
Xiaomei Li: Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation
Zhixiong Fang: Hunan University
Manjuan Tang: Hunan University
Rujing Zhang: Hunan University
Zhaofeng Yan: Hunan University
Meng Yin: Hunan University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The bundle-forming pilus (BFP) system in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) produces type IVb pili that enable bacterial auto-aggregation, facilitating bacterial adhesion, colonization, and virulence. One of its components, lipoprotein BfpB, interacts with BfpG to form a secretin channel complex that enables pilus translocation across the outer membrane. Here, we report a high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the BfpB-BfpG complex, revealing a 17:17 stoichiometry with stable zigzag-like interactions between BfpG and BfpB near the N3 ring. Secretin BfpB consists of three β-barrels, including an additional N3 barrel that is crucial for BFP biogenesis. As a lipoprotein-type secretin, BfpB possesses an N-terminal LG domain that bridges the N0 domain and the outer membrane, ensuring its correct localization to the bacterial outer membrane. The C-terminal region of the LG domain mediates binding to BfpG, and disruption of these interactions impairs BFP biogenesis. Our results advance our understanding of the assembly mechanism of secretin complexes within the secretin superfamily.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65063-w

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