2024
Bacterial flagella hijack type IV pili proteins to control motility
Liu X, Tachiyama S, Zhou X, Mathias R, Bonny S, Khan M, Xin Y, Roujeinikova A, Liu J, Ottemann K. Bacterial flagella hijack type IV pili proteins to control motility. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2024, 121: e2317452121. PMID: 38236729, PMCID: PMC10823254, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317452121.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
A Tripartite Efflux System Affects Flagellum Stability in Helicobacter pylori
Gibson K, Chu JK, Zhu S, Nguyen D, Mrázek J, Liu J, Hoover TR. A Tripartite Efflux System Affects Flagellum Stability in Helicobacter pylori. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences 2022, 23: 11609. PMID: 36232924, PMCID: PMC9570263, DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911609.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTripartite efflux systemEfflux systemPeriplasmic membrane fusion proteinOuter membrane efflux proteinCryo-electron tomography studiesMembrane efflux proteinMembrane fusion proteinNumber of flagellaTransmembrane domainABC transportersUnsheathed flagellaSwimming motilityCandidate proteinsFusion proteinEfflux proteinsSame frameshift mutationFlagellaEnhanced motilityMutantsFlagellar sheathFrameshift mutationProteinIndependent variantsHomologP ringIdentification and Characterization of the Alternative σ28 Factor in Treponema denticola
Kurniyati K, Chang Y, Liu J, Li C. Identification and Characterization of the Alternative σ28 Factor in Treponema denticola. Journal Of Bacteriology 2022, 204: e00248-22. PMID: 36043861, PMCID: PMC9487585, DOI: 10.1128/jb.00248-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDependent promotersTranscription factorsSpirochete Treponema denticolaGene expressionOral spirochete Treponema denticolaCryo-electron tomography analysisFlagellin gene expressionExpression of flagellinSite-directed mutagenesisFlagellar regulationChemotaxis genesPeriplasmic flagellaRNA polymeraseFliABacterial motilityTranscriptional factorsLate promoterExternal flagellaLines of evidenceEscherichia coliPromoterT. denticolaBiochemical analysisEssential roleE. coliFliL ring enhances the function of periplasmic flagella
Guo S, Xu H, Chang Y, Motaleb MA, Liu J. FliL ring enhances the function of periplasmic flagella. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2022, 119: e2117245119. PMID: 35254893, PMCID: PMC8931381, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117245119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFlagellar motorBacterial motilityCryo-electron tomographyStator complexFlagellar proteinsMutant cellsPeriplasmic flagellaActive conformationSitu structureFascinating questionsSupramolecular complexesMotilityComplexesMotBOptimal functionFliLFlagellaIon fluxProteinFunctionAssemblyRemodelingCellsConformationBorrelia
2021
Characterization of the Flagellar Collar Reveals Structural Plasticity Essential for Spirochete Motility
Chang Y, Xu H, Motaleb MA, Liu J. Characterization of the Flagellar Collar Reveals Structural Plasticity Essential for Spirochete Motility. MBio 2021, 12: e02494-21. PMID: 34809456, PMCID: PMC8609358, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02494-21.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiPeriplasmic flagellaSpirochete motilityCryo-electron tomographySpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiRemarkable structural plasticityComplex host environmentSerious human diseasesFlagellar assemblyCollar ComplexMultiprotein complexesFlagellar collarFlagellar motorDistinct functionsDistinct morphologiesRemarkable plasticityHuman diseasesBorrelia burgdorferiHost environmentFlagellaStructural plasticityRemarkable groupMotilityProteinHost connective tissueRole of the major determinant of polar flagellation FlhG in the endoflagella‐containing spirochete Leptospira
Fule L, Halifa R, Fontana C, Sismeiro O, Legendre R, Varet H, Coppée J, Murray GL, Adler B, Hendrixson DR, Buschiazzo A, Guo S, Liu J, Picardeau M. Role of the major determinant of polar flagellation FlhG in the endoflagella‐containing spirochete Leptospira. Molecular Microbiology 2021, 116: 1392-1406. PMID: 34657338, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14831.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWild-type strainSaprophyte L. biflexaCross-species complementationComparative transcriptome analysisPathogen L. interrogansFlagellar basal bodyCryo-electron tomographySpirochete LeptospiraSpiral-shaped morphologyFlagellar genesFlhGNumerical regulationTranscriptome analysisPeriplasmic flagellaFlhFCell motilityNegative regulatorBasal bodiesBacterial speciesL. biflexaMutantsGel-like environmentL. interrogansFlagellaBacteria
2020
Molecular mechanism for rotational switching of the bacterial flagellar motor
Chang Y, Zhang K, Carroll BL, Zhao X, Charon NW, Norris SJ, Motaleb MA, Li C, Liu J. Molecular mechanism for rotational switching of the bacterial flagellar motor. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 2020, 27: 1041-1047. PMID: 32895555, PMCID: PMC8129871, DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0497-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBacterial flagellar motorSwitch proteinFlagellar motorResponse regulator CheYRotational switchingProton motive forceSwitch complexMolecular mechanismsPhosphorylated formMajor remodelingConformational changesMotive forceModel systemProteinBorrelia burgdorferiCheY3CheYMutantsTorque generatorFLIMInteractsCheXCW rotationMechanismRemodelingAn asymmetric sheath controls flagellar supercoiling and motility in the leptospira spirochete
Gibson KH, Trajtenberg F, Wunder EA, Brady MR, San Martin F, Mechaly A, Shang Z, Liu J, Picardeau M, Ko A, Buschiazzo A, Sindelar CV. An asymmetric sheath controls flagellar supercoiling and motility in the leptospira spirochete. ELife 2020, 9: e53672. PMID: 32157997, PMCID: PMC7065911, DOI: 10.7554/elife.53672.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCryo-electron tomographyKey functional attributesNative flagellar filamentsHigh-resolution cryo-electron tomographyPeriplasmic spaceSheath proteinStructural basisFlagellar filamentsLeptospira spirochetesSpirochete bacteriaEntire cellFunctional attributesX-ray crystallographyImportant pathogenSupercoilingMotilityBacteriaFilamentsCell bodiesFlagellaSpirochetesProteinFlagellinDistinctive meansEndoflagellaFlhF regulates the number and configuration of periplasmic flagella in Borrelia burgdorferi
Zhang K, He J, Catalano C, Guo Y, Liu J, Li C. FlhF regulates the number and configuration of periplasmic flagella in Borrelia burgdorferi. Molecular Microbiology 2020, 113: 1122-1139. PMID: 32039533, PMCID: PMC8085991, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14482.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeriplasmic flagellaCell polesM-ring proteinLyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferiCryo-electron tomography studiesSignal recognition particlePolar localizationB. burgdorferiFlagellar assemblyRecognition particleMutant cellsFlagellar numberProtein stabilityFlagellar patternBorrelia burgdorferiFlhFEnzymatic activityBiochemical analysisMechanistic insightsBacterium Borrelia burgdorferiFlagellaPF numberBacteriaMidcellDetailed characterizationIn Situ Structure of the Vibrio Polar Flagellum Reveals a Distinct Outer Membrane Complex and Its Specific Interaction with the Stator
Zhu S, Nishikino T, Takekawa N, Terashima H, Kojima S, Imada K, Homma M, Liu J. In Situ Structure of the Vibrio Polar Flagellum Reveals a Distinct Outer Membrane Complex and Its Specific Interaction with the Stator. Journal Of Bacteriology 2020, 202: 10.1128/jb.00592-19. PMID: 31767780, PMCID: PMC6989802, DOI: 10.1128/jb.00592-19.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProtein-protein interactionsCryo-electron tomographyStator unitsFlagellar rotationDetailed protein-protein interactionsUnique protein-protein interactionsGram-negative marine bacteriumPolar sheathed flagellumBasal body structureHigh-speed motilityBacterial flagellar motorLarge conformational changesSpecific interactionsFirst structural evidencePeriplasmic domainPolar flagellumFlagellar motorPeptidoglycan layerMembrane complexT ringMarine bacteriumBacterial flagellaGenetic analysisDetailed structural informationSheathed flagellum
2019
Loss of a Cardiolipin Synthase in Helicobacter pylori G27 Blocks Flagellum Assembly
Chu JK, Zhu S, Herrera CM, Henderson JC, Liu J, Trent MS, Hoover TR. Loss of a Cardiolipin Synthase in Helicobacter pylori G27 Blocks Flagellum Assembly. Journal Of Bacteriology 2019, 201: 10.1128/jb.00372-19. PMID: 31427391, PMCID: PMC6779456, DOI: 10.1128/jb.00372-19.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFlagellum assemblyFlagellum biosynthesisCardiolipin synthaseFlagellar protein export apparatusCardiolipin levelsProtein export apparatusCryo-electron tomographyWild-type levelsAllelic exchange mutagenesisMS ringFlagellar genesExport apparatusCell polesP ringHost colonizationMature flagellumCell envelopeGenomic DNAMutantsProximal rodFlagellaBiosynthesisSequencing analysisFlgIBacterial pathogensIn Situ Structures of Polar and Lateral Flagella Revealed by Cryo-Electron Tomography
Zhu S, Schniederberend M, Zhitnitsky D, Jain R, Galán JE, Kazmierczak BI, Liu J. In Situ Structures of Polar and Lateral Flagella Revealed by Cryo-Electron Tomography. Journal Of Bacteriology 2019, 201: 10.1128/jb.00117-19. PMID: 31010901, PMCID: PMC6560136, DOI: 10.1128/jb.00117-19.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCryo-electron tomographyBacterial flagellaFlagellar assemblyPolar flagellumPeritrichous flagellaSerovar TyphimuriumSpecies-specific featuresBacterial pathogensOuter membrane complexSelf-assembling nanomachineFlagellar systemFlagellar structureFlagellar numberSubtomogram averagingMembrane complexLateral flagellaStructural basisDistinct flagellaMolecular machinesFlagellaSitu structureModel systemPseudomonasTyphimuriumRange of variationAnalysis of a flagellar filament cap mutant reveals that HtrA serine protease degrades unfolded flagellin protein in the periplasm of Borrelia burgdorferi
Zhang K, Qin Z, Chang Y, Liu J, Malkowski MG, Shipa S, Li L, Qiu W, Zhang J, Li C. Analysis of a flagellar filament cap mutant reveals that HtrA serine protease degrades unfolded flagellin protein in the periplasm of Borrelia burgdorferi. Molecular Microbiology 2019, 111: 1652-1670. PMID: 30883947, PMCID: PMC6561814, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14243.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeriplasmic flagellaFliD mutantFlagellin proteinMajor flagellin proteinLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiFlagellar cap proteinFlagellar cap protein FliDFlagellar filament assemblyFlagella-deficient mutantsMutant cellsCAP mutantsFlaB proteinsPeriplasmFilament assemblyCap proteinB. burgdorferiFlagellar filamentsGenetic studiesMutantsBorrelia burgdorferiHtrASerine proteasesFliDFlagellin polymerizationSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferi
2018
Cryo-electron tomography of periplasmic flagella in Borrelia burgdorferi reveals a distinct cytoplasmic ATPase complex
Qin Z, Tu J, Lin T, Norris SJ, Li C, Motaleb MA, Liu J. Cryo-electron tomography of periplasmic flagella in Borrelia burgdorferi reveals a distinct cytoplasmic ATPase complex. PLOS Biology 2018, 16: e3000050. PMID: 30412577, PMCID: PMC6248999, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000050.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCryo-electron tomographyPeriplasmic flagellaATPase complexFlagellar C-ringType III secretion systemCytoplasmic ATPase complexLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiMotility of spirochetesExport apparatusSecretion systemStructural insightsBorrelia burgdorferiFlagellaSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiPathogenic spirochetesC-ringNovel therapeutic strategiesUnique mechanismDistinct morphologiesB. burgdorferiComplexesMultiple spokesAssemblyTherapeutic strategiesBurgdorferiThe Vibrio H-Ring Facilitates the Outer Membrane Penetration of the Polar Sheathed Flagellum
Zhu S, Nishikino T, Kojima S, Homma M, Liu J. The Vibrio H-Ring Facilitates the Outer Membrane Penetration of the Polar Sheathed Flagellum. Journal Of Bacteriology 2018, 200: 10.1128/jb.00387-18. PMID: 30104237, PMCID: PMC6182240, DOI: 10.1128/jb.00387-18.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolar sheathed flagellumPeriplasmic flagellaExternal flagellaOuter membraneSheathed flagellumBacterial life cycleCryo-electron tomographyWild-type cellsInternal periplasmic flagellaMultiple peritrichous flagellaRemarkable nanomachinesFlagellar genesPeritrichous flagellaPeriplasmic spaceMost bacteriaNovel functionMolecular basisBacterial flagellaMajor organellesBacterial speciesFlagellaMembrane penetrationH-ringGenesLife cycle
2017
Molecular architecture of the sheathed polar flagellum in Vibrio alginolyticus
Zhu S, Nishikino T, Hu B, Kojima S, Homma M, Liu J. Molecular architecture of the sheathed polar flagellum in Vibrio alginolyticus. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2017, 114: 10966-10971. PMID: 28973904, PMCID: PMC5642721, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1712489114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolar flagellumOuter membraneIntact cellsFlagellar motor componentsSheathed polar flagellumRod-shaped bacteriaGram-negative rod-shaped bacteriaLimited structural informationPeriplasmic structureSubtomogram analysisFlagellar rotationFlagellar motorGenetic approachesUnsheathed flagellaCryoelectron tomographySwimming motilitySheathed flagellumMajor remodelingFlagellaRing-like structureMolecular levelDistinct motilityFast motilityMembranous sheathLength variationIn Situ Structural Analysis of the Spirochetal Flagellar Motor by Cryo-Electron Tomography
Zhu S, Qin Z, Wang J, Morado DR, Liu J. In Situ Structural Analysis of the Spirochetal Flagellar Motor by Cryo-Electron Tomography. Methods In Molecular Biology 2017, 1593: 229-242. PMID: 28389958, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6927-2_18.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCryo-electron tomographyFlagellar motorIntact flagellar motorBacterial flagellar motorMolecular machinerySitu structural analysisExtensive structural analysisMolecular machinesLarge complexesStructural analysisUnprecedented detailBorrelia burgdorferiStructural determinationMachineryOrganismsBacteriaPowerful techniqueCellsComplexesBurgdorferi
2016
A novel flagellar sheath protein, FcpA, determines filament coiling, translational motility and virulence for the Leptospira spirochete
Wunder EA, Figueira CP, Benaroudj N, Hu B, Tong BA, Trajtenberg F, Liu J, Reis MG, Charon NW, Buschiazzo A, Picardeau M, Ko AI. A novel flagellar sheath protein, FcpA, determines filament coiling, translational motility and virulence for the Leptospira spirochete. Molecular Microbiology 2016, 101: 457-470. PMID: 27113476, PMCID: PMC4979076, DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13403.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTraverse tissue barriersHamster modelTarget organsSystemic infectionClinical isolatesLeptospira spirochetesTranslational motilityL. interrogansCell morphologyTissue barriersMotilityLeptospiraPeriplasmic flagellaSpirochetesVirulence phenotypesProtein AHelical cell morphologyInfectionDiseaseLeptospirosisPathogen L. interrogans