{
  "id": 6239090,
  "title": "Outer membrane 'PusCD' complexes coordinate phospho(inositol)lipid utilisation in plant Bacteroidota",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/outer-membrane-puscd-complexes-coordinate-phospho-inositol-lipid",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-07T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.03.749221v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}