Sheaths are diverse and abundant cell surface layers in archaea.

ABSTRACT: Prokaryotic cells employ multiple protective layers crucial for defense, structural integrity, and cellular interactions in the environment. Archaea often feature an S-layer, with some species possessing additional and remarkably resistant sheaths. The archaeal sheath has been studied in Methanothrix and Methanospirillum, revealing a complex structure consisting of amyloid proteins organized into rings. Here, we conducted a comprehensive survey of sheath-forming proteins (SH proteins) across archaeal genomes. Structural modeling reveals a rich diversity of SH proteins, indicating the presence of a sheath in members of the TACK superphylum (Thermoprotei), as well as in the methanotrophic ANME-1. SH proteins are present in up to 40 copies per genome and display diverse domain arrangements su

SUBMITTER: Medvedeva S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11576556 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature