Print Email Facebook Twitter Cryo-EM structure of gas vesicles for buoyancy-controlled motility Title Cryo-EM structure of gas vesicles for buoyancy-controlled motility Author Huber, S. (TU Delft BN/Arjen Jakobi Lab; TU Delft BN/Bionanoscience; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft) Terwiel, D. (TU Delft ImPhys/Maresca group) Evers, W.H. (TU Delft BN/Afdelingsbureau; TU Delft BN/Bionanoscience; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft) Maresca, D. (TU Delft ImPhys/Medical Imaging; TU Delft ImPhys/Maresca group) Jakobi, A. (TU Delft BN/Arjen Jakobi Lab; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft) Department BN/Bionanoscience Date 2023 Abstract Gas vesicles are gas-filled nanocompartments that allow a diverse group of bacteria and archaea to control their buoyancy. The molecular basis of their properties and assembly remains unclear. Here, we report the 3.2 Å cryo-EM structure of the gas vesicle shell made from the structural protein GvpA that self-assembles into hollow helical cylinders closed off by cone-shaped tips. Two helical half shells connect through a characteristic arrangement of GvpA monomers, suggesting a mechanism of gas vesicle biogenesis. The fold of GvpA features a corrugated wall structure typical for force-bearing thin-walled cylinders. Small pores enable gas molecules to diffuse across the shell, while the exceptionally hydrophobic interior surface effectively repels water. Comparative structural analysis confirms the evolutionary conservation of gas vesicle assemblies and demonstrates molecular features of shell reinforcement by GvpC. Our findings will further research into gas vesicle biology and facilitate molecular engineering of gas vesicles for ultrasound imaging. Subject acoustic reporter genecryo-EMgas vesicleGvpAGvpCmicrobial motility To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:8e282dee-5dc2-4706-98c8-95b0effbc02e DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.01.041 ISSN 0092-8674 Source Cell, 186 (5), 975-986.e13 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2023 S. Huber, D. Terwiel, W.H. Evers, D. Maresca, A. Jakobi Files PDF 1_s2.0_S0092867423001009_main.pdf 14.01 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:8e282dee-5dc2-4706-98c8-95b0effbc02e/datastream/OBJ/view