The structure of Yersinia pestis Caf1 polymer in free and adjuvant bound states.
Caf1 of the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis is a polymeric virulence factor and vaccine component, formed from monomers by a donor strand exchange (DSE) mechanism. Here, EM images of Caf1 reveal flexible polymers up to 1.5 microm long (4MDa). The bead-like structures along the polymer are 5.8 + or - 1 nm long and correspond to single Caf1 proteins. Short polymers often form circles, presumably by DSE. We also provide the first images of proteins bound to alhydrogel adjuvant. Caf1, hemocyanin and anthrax PA are all resolved clearly and Caf1 exhibits adjuvant bound stretches with long intervening loops draped from the edges.
Soliakov
Andrei
A
Institute for Cell and Molecular Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
Harris
J Robin
JR
Watkinson
Allan
A
Lakey
Jeremy H
JH
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010930:Plague / Q000517:prevention & control; D010931:Plague Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017510:Protein Folding; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010931:Plague Vaccine; D011108:Polymers; D037521:Virulence Factors; C086725:caf1 protein, Yersinia pestis