The unique structure of archaeal 'hami', highly complex cell appendages with nano-grappling hooks.

Abstract:

:Proteinaceous, hair-like appendages known as fimbriae or pili commonly extend from the surface of prokaryotic cells and serve important functions such as cell adhesion, biofilm formation, motility and DNA transfer. Here we show that a novel group of archaea from cold, sulphidic springs has developed cell surface appendages of an unexpectedly high complexity with a well-defined base-to-top organization. It represents a new class of filamentous cell appendages, for which the term 'hamus' is proposed. Each archaeal cell is surrounded by a halo of about 100 hami, which mediate strong adhesion of the cells to surfaces of different chemical composition. The hami are mainly composed of 120 kDa subunits and remained stable in a broad temperature and pH range (0-70 degrees C; 0.5-11.5). Electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography revealed that the hamus filament possesses a helical basic structure. At periodic distances, three prickles emanate from the filament, giving it the character of industrially produced barbwire. At its distal end the hami carry a tripartite, barbed grappling hook (60 nm in diameter). The architecture of this molecular hook is reminiscent of man-made fishhooks, grapples and anchors. It appears that nature has developed a perfect mechanical nano-tool in the course of biological evolution, which also might prove useful in the field of nanobiotechnology.

journal_name

Mol Microbiol

journal_title

Molecular microbiology

authors

Moissl C,Rachel R,Briegel A,Engelhardt H,Huber R

doi

10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04294.x

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2005-04-01 00:00:00

pages

361-70

issue

2

eissn

0950-382X

issn

1365-2958

pii

MMI4294

journal_volume

56

pub_type

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