Soft Condensed Matter & Physics of Living Systems

The β-barrel Assembly Machinery in Motion

Abstract

Beta-barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are found within the outer membranes (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria and are essential for nutrient import, signaling, and adhesion. While the exact mechanism for the biogenesis of these OMPs is unknown, it is known that a 200 kDa five component complex called the beta-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex is responsible for this task. We have previously used X-ray crystallography and MD simulations to establish that BamA, the central and essential component, may serve as a catalyst on the membrane to reduce the energy required for insertion of new OMPs.

Further, we have shown that lateral opening of the barrel domain of BamA is required for function, suggesting a route for the insertion of new OMPs directly into the membrane. Despite these studies, it is known that the BAM complex functions most efficiently when fully assembled. To gain insight into this intriguing mechanism, recently, we reported the structure of the BAM complex from E. coli, revealing unprecedented conformational changes in the barrel domain of BamA, which may be regulated by the accessory proteins BamB, C, D, and E. The periplasmic domain of BamA was found in a closed state that prevents access to the barrel lumen from the periplasm, indicating substrate OMPs likely do not enter the barrel during biogenesis, but rather may be inserted directly at the lateral gate.

In this talk, I will review the previous studies with BamA, present the new recent structural studies of the fully assembled BAM complex, and put forth two plausible mechanisms for how the BAM complex may function in the biogenesis of new OMPs.

Event Details

Date/Time:

  • Date: 
    Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Location:
KLAUS 1116 East

For More Information Contact

Prof. J.C. Gumbart