Title |
Ultrastable cellulosome-adhesion complex tightens under load
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Published in |
Nature Communications, December 2014
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DOI | 10.1038/ncomms6635 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Constantin Schoeler, Klara H. Malinowska, Rafael C. Bernardi, Lukas F. Milles, Markus A. Jobst, Ellis Durner, Wolfgang Ott, Daniel B. Fried, Edward A. Bayer, Klaus Schulten, Hermann E. Gaub, Michael A. Nash |
Abstract |
Challenging environments have guided nature in the development of ultrastable protein complexes. Specialized bacteria produce discrete multi-component protein networks called cellulosomes to effectively digest lignocellulosic biomass. While network assembly is enabled by protein interactions with commonplace affinities, we show that certain cellulosomal ligand-receptor interactions exhibit extreme resistance to applied force. Here, we characterize the ligand-receptor complex responsible for substrate anchoring in the Ruminococcus flavefaciens cellulosome using single-molecule force spectroscopy and steered molecular dynamics simulations. The complex withstands forces of 600-750 pN, making it one of the strongest bimolecular interactions reported, equivalent to half the mechanical strength of a covalent bond. Our findings demonstrate force activation and inter-domain stabilization of the complex, and suggest that certain network components serve as mechanical effectors for maintaining network integrity. This detailed understanding of cellulosomal network components may help in the development of biocatalysts for production of fuels and chemicals from renewable plant-derived biomass. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 2 | 67% |
United States | 1 | 33% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Scientists | 2 | 67% |
Members of the public | 1 | 33% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 2 | 2% |
Portugal | 2 | 2% |
United States | 1 | <1% |
Italy | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 106 | 95% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 30 | 27% |
Researcher | 24 | 21% |
Student > Master | 13 | 12% |
Student > Bachelor | 9 | 8% |
Other | 5 | 4% |
Other | 16 | 14% |
Unknown | 15 | 13% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 24 | 21% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 23 | 21% |
Chemistry | 14 | 13% |
Physics and Astronomy | 13 | 12% |
Chemical Engineering | 7 | 6% |
Other | 16 | 14% |
Unknown | 15 | 13% |