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Structural independence of conjugative coupling protein TrwB from its Type IV secretion machinery

Abstract: The stability of components of multiprotein complexes often relies on the presence of the functional complex. To assess structural dependence among the components of the R388 Type IV secretion system (T4SS), the steady-state level of several Trw proteins was determined in the absence of other Trw components. While several Trw proteins were affected by the lack of others, we found that the coupling protein TrwB is not affected by the absence of other T4SS components, nor did its absence alter significantly the levels of integral components of the complex, underscoring the independent role of the coupling protein on the T4SS architecture. The cytoplasmic ATPases TrwK (VirB4) and TrwD (VirB11) were affected by the absence of several core complex components, while the pilus component TrwJ (VirB5) required the presence of all other Trw proteins (except for TrwB) to be detectable. Overall, the results delineate a possible assembly pathway for the T4SS of R388. We have also tested structural complementation of TrwD (VirB11) and TrwJ (VirB5) by their homologues in the highly related Trw system of Bartonella tribocorum (Bt). The results reveal a correlation with the functional complementation data previously reported.

 Authorship: Larrea D., de Paz H., Arechaga I., de la Cruz F., Llosa M.,

 Fuente: Plasmid, 2013, 70(1), 146-53

 Publisher: Academic Press Inc.

 Year of publication: 2013

 No. of pages: 8

 Publication type: Article

 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2013.03.006

 ISSN: 0147-619X,1095-9890

 Spanish project: BIO2010-11623-E

 Publication Url: https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.plasmid.2013.03.006

Authorship

DELFINA LARREA

HECTOR DAVID PAZ FERNANDEZ