title: Distinct docking and stabilization steps of the Pseudopilus conformational transition path suggest rotational assembly of type IV pilus-like fibers.
abstract: The closely related bacterial type II secretion (T2S) and type IV pilus (T4P) systems are sophisticated machines that assemble dynamic fibers promoting protein transport, motility, or adhesion. Despite their essential role in virulence, the molecular mechanisms underlying helical fiber assembly remain unknown. Here, we use electron microscopy and flexible modeling to study conformational changes of PulG pili assembled by the Klebsiella oxytoca T2SS. Neural network analysis of 3,900 pilus models suggested a transition path toward low-energy conformations driven by progressive increase in fiber helical twist. Detailed predictions of interprotomer contacts along this path were tested by site-directed mutagenesis, pilus assembly, and protein secretion analyses. We demonstrate that electrostatic interactions between adjacent protomers (P-P+1) in the membrane drive pseudopilin docking, while P-P+3 and P-P+4 contacts determine downstream fiber stabilization steps. These results support a model of a spool-like assembly mechanism for fibers of the T2SS-T4P superfamily.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Genetics Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; CNRS ERL3526, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; University Paris VII, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: Mangayarkarasi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nivaskumar
authors.affiliation: Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; CNRS UMR3528, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bouvier
authors.affiliation: Molecular Genetics Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; CNRS ERL3526, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; University Paris VII, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: Molecular Genetics Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; CNRS ERL3526, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nadeau
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Xiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Egelman
authors.affiliation: Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; CNRS UMR3528, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nilges
authors.affiliation: Molecular Genetics Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France; CNRS ERL3526, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, Cedex 15, France. Electronic address: ofrancet@pasteur.fr.
authors.forename: Olivera
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Francetic
mesh_terms: D019281:Dimerization; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D041121:Klebsiella oxytoca / Q000166:cytology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008958:Models, Molecular; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation
chemical_list: D036781:Fimbriae Proteins