Trimeric autotransporters: a distinct subfamily of autotransporter proteins.
Published
Journal Article (Review)
Autotransporter proteins are a large family of gram-negative bacterial extracellular proteins. These proteins have a characteristic arrangement of functional domains, including an N-terminal signal peptide, an internal passenger domain, and a C-terminal translocator domain. Recent studies have identified a novel subfamily of autotransporters, defined by a short trimeric C-terminal translocator domain and known as trimeric autotransporters. In this article, we review our current knowledge of the structural and functional characteristics of trimeric autotransporters, highlighting the distinctions between this subfamily and conventional autotransporters. We speculate that trimeric autotransporters evolved to enable high-affinity multivalent adhesive interactions with host surfaces and circulating host molecules to take place.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Cotter, SE; Surana, NK; St Geme, JW
Published Date
- May 2005
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 13 / 5
Start / End Page
- 199 - 205
PubMed ID
- 15866036
Pubmed Central ID
- 15866036
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0966-842X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.tim.2005.03.004
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England