Abstract
SummaryThe bacterial type IV secretion system (T4SS) is a versatile nanomachine that translocates diverse effector molecules between microbes and into eukaryotic cells. Using electron cryotomography, here we reveal the molecular architecture of the cancer-associatedHelicobacter pylori cagT4SS. Although most components are unique toH. pylori, thecagT4SS exhibits remarkable architectural similarity to previously studied T4SSs. WhenH. pyloriencounters host cells, however, the bacterium elaborates rigid, membranous tubes perforated by lateral ports. Dense, pilus-like rod structures extending from the inner membrane were also observed. We propose that the membrane tubes assemble out of the T4SS and are the delivery system forcagT4SS cargo. These studies reveal the architecture of a dynamic molecular machine that evolved to function in the human gastric niche.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cited by
1 articles.
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