Torque-generating units of the bacterial flagellar motor step independently

Biophys J. 1996 Aug;71(2):918-23. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(96)79295-0.

Abstract

Measurements of the variance in rotation period of tethered cells as a function of mean rotation rate have shown that the flagellar motor of Escherichia coli is a stepping motor. Here, by measurement of the variance in rotation period as a function of the number of active torque-generating units, it is shown that each unit steps independently.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Chemotaxis
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Flagella / physiology*
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Genotype
  • Isopropyl Thiogalactoside / pharmacology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Methyl-Accepting Chemotaxis Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Rotation
  • Torque

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Methyl-Accepting Chemotaxis Proteins
  • MotA protein, Bacteria
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Isopropyl Thiogalactoside