Extended Data Fig. 7: Geobacter sulfurreducens PilA-N–C pilus is structurally similar to a T2SS pseudopilus and does not show structure or functions of T4aP.
From: Structure of Geobacter pili reveals secretory rather than nanowire behaviour
a, The globular domain of the PilA-N–C pilin protomer lacks hallmarks of T4P (PDB code 5XVY): disulfide bridge (green), four β-strands motif (blue) and D-region (magenta), consistent with pseudopili (PDB code 5O2Y). b, Hydrophobic interactions are the main interactions between PilA-N chains, similar to pseudopili, whereas T4P are additionally stabilized via intersubunit electrostatic interactions between F1 and E5. c, d, Comparison of bacterial adhesion to glass (c) and twitching motility (d). Error bars, s.d. (n = 3). e, f, Core aromatic residues in the theoretical model of PilA-N filament24 (e) and cryo-EM structure of PilA-N–C filament (f). g, AFM image of a PilA-N–C filament (red) bridging gold electrodes and corresponding height profile at location shown by a black line. Scale bar, 200 nm. h, i, Current–voltage curve (h) and corresponding conductivity comparison (i) for individual PilA-N–C filament versus OmcS nanowire3. Error bars, s.d. (n = 4 biological replicates).
