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Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series
07:59

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Published on: May 10, 2020

Bacterial flagellar diversity and evolution: seek simplicity and distrust it?

Lori A S Snyder1, Nicholas J Loman, Klaus Fütterer

  • 1University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.

Trends in Microbiology
|December 17, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Recent studies reveal bacterial flagella evolution, including simplified versions and gene homology. However, a new phylogenetic analysis suggests early flagellar evolution was more complex than previously thought.

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Generation of Null Mutants to Elucidate the Role of Bacterial Glycosyltransferases in Bacterial Motility

Published on: March 11, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Bacterial flagella are essential for motility.
  • Recent discoveries include simplified flagella in Buchnera and homology between flagellar protein FliG and magnesium transporter MgtE.
  • These findings offer insights into flagellar evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-examine the evolution of bacterial flagella.
  • To investigate the phylogenetic distribution of flagellar genes.
  • To challenge simplistic models of early flagellar evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of flagellar genes.
  • Comparative genomics.
  • Structural biology.

Main Results:

  • Identified cut-down flagellar organelles in Buchnera.
  • Discovered a dispensable ATPase in the flagellar system.
  • Found structural evidence for homology between FliG and MgtE.
  • Phylogenetic distribution of flagellar genes indicates a complex evolutionary history.

Conclusions:

  • The evolution of bacterial flagella is more intricate than previously modeled.
  • New findings necessitate a revised understanding of early flagellar development.
  • Further research into flagellar gene evolution is warranted.