Assembly factor Omp85 recognizes its outer membrane protein substrates by a species-specific C-terminal motif
2006

How Omp85 Recognizes Bacterial Proteins

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Robert Viviane, Volokhina Elena B, Senf Freya, Bos Martine P, Van Gelder Patrick, Tommassen Jan

Primary Institution: Utrecht University

Hypothesis

Does the C-terminal signature sequence of outer membrane proteins influence their recognition by Omp85?

Conclusion

Omp85 recognizes outer membrane proteins by their C-terminal signature sequence, which is species-specific.

Supporting Evidence

  • Omp85 forms oligomers and exhibits pore activity when reconstituted in lipid bilayers.
  • The C-terminal signature sequence is crucial for the recognition of outer membrane proteins by Omp85.
  • Neisserial outer membrane proteins do not activate E. coli Omp85 channels, indicating species specificity.
  • Mutations in the C-terminal sequence of proteins can affect their recognition and assembly efficiency.

Takeaway

Omp85 is a protein that helps other proteins get into the outer layer of bacteria, and it can tell which proteins belong based on a special tag at the end of those proteins.

Methodology

The study involved purifying Omp85 from E. coli, refolding it, and testing its interactions with various outer membrane proteins in lipid bilayer experiments.

Limitations

The exact oligomeric configuration of Omp85 is difficult to assess, and the in vitro conditions may not fully replicate in vivo environments.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pbio.0030377

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