Open AccessBacterial translocation motors investigated by single molecule techniques
Author(s) -
Allemand JeanFrancois,
Maier Berenike
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2009.00166.x
Subject(s) - chromosomal translocation , processivity , molecular motor , biology , biophysics , dna , pilus , directionality , molecule , motor protein , molecular machine , microbiology and biotechnology , nanotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , genetics , dna replication , gene , materials science , microtubule , organic chemistry , virulence
Translocation of DNA and protein fibers through narrow constrictions is a ubiquitous and crucial activity of bacterial cells. Bacteria use specialized machines to support macromolecular movement. A very important step toward a mechanistic understanding of these translocation machines is the characterization of their physical properties at the single molecule level. Recently, four bacterial transport processes have been characterized by nanomanipulation at the single molecule level, DNA translocation by FtsK and SpoIIIE, DNA import during transformation, and the related process of a type IV pilus retraction. With all four processes, the translocation rates, processivity, and stalling forces were remarkably high as compared with single molecule experiments with other molecular motors. Although substrates of all four processes proceed along a preferential direction of translocation, directionality has been shown to be controlled by distinct mechanisms.