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J. Bacteriol., 01 1996, 258-265, Vol 178, No. 1
R Zhao, CD Amsler, P Matsumura and S Khan
Salmonella typhimurium FliG and FliM are two of three proteins known to be
necessary for flagellar morphogenesis as well as energization and switching
of flagellar rotation. We have determined FliG and FliM levels in cellular
fractions and in extended flagellar basal bodies, using antibodies raised
against the purified proteins. Both proteins were found predominantly in
the detergent-solubilized particulate fraction containing flagellar
structures. Basal flagellar fragments could be separated from partially
constructed basal bodies by gel filtration chromatography. FliG and FliM
were present in an approximately equimolar ration in all gel-filtered
fractions. FliG and FliM copy numbers, estimated relative to that of the
hook protein from the early fractions containing long, basal, flagellar
fragments, were (means +/- standard errors) 41 +/- 10 and 37 +/- 13 per
flagellum, respectively. Extended structures were present in the earliest
identifiable basal bodies. Immunoelectron microscopy and immunoblot gel
analysis suggested that the FliG and, to a less certain degree, the FliM
contents of these structures were the same as those for the complete basal
bodies. These facts are consistent with the postulate that FliG and FliM
affect flagellar morphogenesis as part of the extended basal structure,
formation of which is necessary for assembly of more-distal components of
the flagellum. The determined stoichiometries will provide important
constraints to modelling energization and switching of flagellar rotation.
Copyright © 1996, American Society for Microbiology
FliG and FliM distribution in the Salmonella typhimurium cell and flagellar basal bodies
Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
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