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Using Force to Punch Holes: Mechanics of Contractile Nanomachines.
Journal article

Using Force to Punch Holes: Mechanics of Contractile Nanomachines.

  • Brackmann M Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
  • Nazarov S Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
  • Wang J Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
  • Basler M Focal Area Infection Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: marek.basler@unibas.ch.
  • 2017-06-13
Published in:
  • Trends in cell biology. - 2017
Type VI secretion system
bacterial toxins
contractile bacteriophages
membrane
protein translocation
structure and dynamics
Bacterial Proteins
Bacteriophage T4
Membranes
Pyocins
Type VI Secretion Systems
English Using physical force to translocate macromolecules across a membrane has the advantage of being a universal solution independent of the properties of the target membrane. However, physically punching a stiff membrane is not a trivial task and three things are necessary for success: a sharp tip, a source of energy, and the ability to strongly bind to the target. In this review we describe the basic mechanism of membrane puncturing by contractile nanomachines with a focus on the T4 phage, R-type pyocin, and the bacterial Type VI secretion system (T6SS) based on recent studies of the structures and dynamics of their assembly.
Language
  • English
Open access status
closed
Identifiers
Persistent URL
https://sonar.ch/global/documents/232428
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