Spatial arrangement and density variations in the cell envelope of Deinococcus radiodurans

Abstract

The cell envelope of the poly-extremophile bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans is renowned for its highly organized structure and unique functional characteristics. In this bacterium, a precise regularity characterizes not just the S-layer, but it also extends to the underlying cell envelope layers, resulting in a dense and tightly arranged configuration. This regularity is attributed to a minimum of three protein complexes located at the outer membrane level. Together, they constitute a recurring structural unit that extends across the cell envelope, effectively tiling the entirety of the cell body. Nevertheless, a comprehensive grasp of the vacant spaces within each layer and their functional roles remains limited. In this study, we delve into these aspects by integrating the state of the art with structural calculations. This approach provides crucial evidence supporting an evolutive pressure intricately linked to surface phenomena depending on the environmental conditions.