Title | Bacterial amyloid formation: structural insights into curli biogensis. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Van Gerven, N., R. D. Klein, S. J. Hultgren, and H. Remaut |
Journal | Trends Microbiol |
Volume | 23 |
Issue | 11 |
Pagination | 693-706 |
Date Published | 2015 Nov |
ISSN | 1878-4380 |
Keywords | Amyloid, Bacterial Proteins, Biofilms, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli Proteins, Molecular Chaperones |
Abstract | Curli are functional amyloid fibers assembled by many Gram-negative bacteria as part of an extracellular matrix that encapsulates the bacteria within a biofilm. A multicomponent secretion system ensures the safe transport of the aggregation-prone curli subunits across the periplasm and outer membrane, and coordinates subunit self-assembly into surface-attached fibers. To avoid the build-up of potentially toxic intracellular protein aggregates, the timing and location of the interactions of the different curli proteins are of paramount importance. Here we review the structural and molecular biology of curli biogenesis, with a focus on the recent breakthroughs in our understanding of subunit chaperoning and secretion. The mechanistic insight into the curli assembly pathway will provide tools for new biotechnological applications and inform the design of targeted inhibitors of amyloid polymerization and biofilm formation. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.tim.2015.07.010 |
Alternate Journal | Trends Microbiol. |
PubMed ID | 26439293 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4636965 |
Grant List | 649082 / / European Research Council / International R01 AI048689 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States R01 AI099099 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States |
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