Expanding the arsenal of bacterial spearguns

Article Microbiology

Structure of a thylakoid-anchored contractile injection system in multicellular cyanobacteria

Gregor L. Weiss et al.

Summary: This study characterized a contractile injection system (CIS) in the multicellular cyanobacterium Anabaena, revealing its unique localization and function. The CISs were found to be anchored in the thylakoid membrane through extensions of tail fibre and baseplate components. Upon stress, cyanobacteria induced the formation of ghost cells, which may be mediated by these CISs and involved in interactions with other organisms. These findings provide insights into the re-engineering of CISs and their potential roles in cyanobacterial programmed cell death.

NATURE MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

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Article Microbiology

Identification and structure of an extracellular contractile injection system from the marine bacterium Algoriphagus machipongonensis

Jingwei Xu et al.

Summary: The characterization of an extracellular contractile injection system (eCIS) from the marine bacterium Algoriphagus machipongonensis (AlgoCIS) reveals structural features linked to the assembly and function of this nanomachine. The study shows that the eCIS system has unique features, including a 'cap adaptor', a 'plug', and a 'cage', which are conserved in other CISs. These elements play important roles in assembly, cargo loading, and function.

NATURE MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Probing the biogenesis pathway and dynamics of thylakoid membranes

Tuomas Huokko et al.

Summary: The study reveals the dynamic process of thylakoid membrane biogenesis and maturation of the functional photosynthetic machinery, including the emergence of newly synthesized membrane and assembly process of photosynthetic complexes.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)

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Article Biology