Synthesis of Bacterial-Derived Peptidoglycan Cross-Linked Fragments.

Peptidoglycan (PG) is the core structural motif of the bacterial cell wall. Fragments released from the PG serve as fundamental recognition elements for the immune system. The structure of the PG, however, encompasses a variety of chemical modifications among different bacterial species.

Metal-induced sensor mobilization turns on affinity to activate regulator for metal detoxification in live bacteria.

Metal detoxification is essential for bacteria's survival in adverse environments and their pathogenesis in hosts. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is crucial for devising antibacterial treatments. In the Gram-negative bacterium , membrane-bound sensor CusS and its response regulator CusR together regulate the transcription of the operon that plays important roles in cells' resistance to copper/silver, and they belong to the two-component systems (TCSs) that are ubiquitous across various organisms and regulate diverse cellular functions.

Mechanical stress compromises multicomponent efflux complexes in bacteria.

Physical forces have a profound effect on growth, morphology, locomotion, and survival of organisms. At the level of individual cells, the role of mechanical forces is well recognized in eukaryotic physiology, but much less is known about prokaryotic organisms. Recent findings suggest an effect of physical forces on bacterial shape, cell division, motility, virulence, and biofilm initiation, but it remains unclear how mechanical forces applied to a bacterium are translated at the molecular level.

Adaptor protein mediates dynamic pump assembly for bacterial metal efflux.

Multicomponent efflux complexes constitute a primary mechanism for Gram-negative bacteria to expel toxic molecules for survival. As these complexes traverse the periplasm and link inner and outer membranes, it remains unclear how they operate efficiently without compromising periplasmic plasticity. Combining single-molecule superresolution imaging and genetic engineering, we study in living cells the tripartite efflux complex CusCBA of the resistance-nodulation-division family that is essential for bacterial resistance to drugs and toxic metals.