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PspA can form large scaffolds in Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
Standar Kerstin,
Mehner Denise,
Osadnik Hendrik,
Berthelmann Felix,
Hause Gerd,
Lünsdorf Heinrich,
Brüser Thomas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.09.002
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , scaffold , scaffold protein , membrane , biophysics , chemistry , cytoplasm , prolate spheroid , nanotechnology , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , biochemistry , biology , physics , signal transduction , engineering , biomedical engineering , gene , classical mechanics
The phage shock protein A (PspA) of Escherichia coli stabilizes the cytoplasmic membrane under stress conditions. Here we demonstrate that PspA can form hollow spherical or prolate spheroidal particles of about 30–40 nm diameter with a scaffold‐like arrangement of protein subunits at the surface. The ‘PspA‐scaffold’ is the basic structure that is common to all particles. The PspA‐scaffold may be of fundamental importance, as it could allow PspA to stabilize the integrity of membranes through numerous contact points over a large surface area.