Outer membrane 'PusCD' complexes coordinate phospho(inositol)lipid utilisation in plant Bacteroidota
Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidota are prominent and ecologically important members of host-associated microbiomes. A feature of Bacteroidota species is the presence of diverse outer membrane TonB-dependent transporter and cognate surface exposed lipoprotein (TBDT-SLP) complexes. Many 'SusCD-like' TBDT-SLPs coordinate complex carbohydrate capture from the environment.…
Outer membrane PusCD complexes play a crucial role in coordinating the utilization of phospho(inositol)lipid in plant Bacteroidota. These complexes are found in various Gram-negative bacteria, which are significant and ecologically essential members of host-associated microbiomes. Among these bacteria, the model soil species Flavobacterium johnsoniae synthesizes two TBDT-SLP complexes, named PusCD1 and PusCD2, which are vital for growth on phosphatidylinositol, a lipid class abundant in plant plasma membranes.
The structural characterization of the PusCD1 complex reveals a novel binding mechanism for organophosphorus, expanding the functional repertoire of this transporter class. PusCD-like complexes are widespread among plant-associated Bacteroidota, suggesting a significant and previously unrecognized route for the recycling of organophosphorus compounds in the rhizosphere.
This discovery could have implications for engineering microbial-mediated phosphorus recovery from organic waste streams.
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