Growth mechanism of the bacterial flagellar filament

• Published in: Research in Microbiology Vol. 153; no. 4; pp. 191 - 197
• Main Authors: Yonekura, Koji, Maki-Yonekura, Saori, Namba, Keiichi
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier SAS 01.05.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bacterial flagellum; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Bacteriology; Biogenesis of cell structures, supramolecular organization; Biological and medical sciences; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Electron cryomicroscopy; Flagella - metabolism; Flagella - ultrastructure; Flagellar cap; Flagellin; Flagellin - metabolism; FliD; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HAP2; Microbiology; Motility, taxis; Salmonella; Salmonella typhimurium - growth & development; Salmonella typhimurium - ultrastructure; Self-assembly; FliD; Salmonella; Self-assembly; Bacterial flagellum; Electron cryomicroscopy; Flagellin; Flagellar cap; HAP2; Self assembly; Growth; Escherichia coli; Flagellum; Bacteria; Review; Salmonella typhimurium; Enterobacteriaceae
• ISSN: 0923-2508; 1769-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/S0923-2508(02)01308-6

The growth of the bacterial flagellar filament occurs at its distal end by self-assembly of flagellin transported from the cytoplasm through the narrow central channel of the flagellum. The cap at the growing end is essential for its growth, remaining stably attached while permitting the flagellin insertion. The structure of the cap-filament analyzed by electron cryomicroscopy suggested a cap rotation mechanism to promote the flagellin self-assembly.