The structure of the β-barrel assembly machinery complex

Abstract

Going in with a BAM Integral membrane proteins in bacterial outer membranes play roles in nutrient import and infectivity. These proteins are folded into a barrel shape composed of β-strands and inserted into the outer membrane by the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex. Bakelar et al. determined the crystal structure of a four-component BAM subcomplex. The structure of a central β barrel in BAM changes in the presence of the accessory components to create a lateral opening that may be involved in how BAM inserts proteins into the outer membrane. Science , this issue p. 180