Identification of bacterial secretins

ABSTRACT: Cyanobacteria and myxobacteria exhibit gliding motility that is associated with the secretion of an exopolymeric slime through nozzle-like structures. Using a combination of biochemical and structural approaches, we demonstrate that these nozzles are composed of secretins belonging to the PilQ/GspD family; proteins previously characterized as forming outer membrane gates in type-two secretion systems (T2SSs) and other bacterial secretion machineries. We show that gspD is an essential gene in Myxococcus xanthus, and that its conditional knockdown impairs both A-motility-associated exopolymer (AEP) slime secretion and gliding motility. In cyanobacteria, available data indicate that the exopolymeric slime is a polysaccharide, whereas the precise composition of the slime in myxobacteria remains unresolved. These findings suggest that secretins can mediate the secretion of non-proteinaceous polymers in certain bacteria.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Kamptonema Sp. Pcc 6506 Arthrospira Platensis Nies-39 Myxococcus Xanthus Dk 1622

SUBMITTER: David Zuckerman  

LAB HEAD: Egbert Hoiczyk

PROVIDER: PXD066729 | Pride | 2025-09-29

REPOSITORIES: Pride