Publication

The type IV pilus protein PilU functions as a PilT-dependent retraction ATPase

Publications associées (29)

DNA-uptake pili of Vibrio cholerae are required for chitin colonization and capable of kin recognition via sequence-specific self-interaction

Melanie Blokesch, Candice Stoudmann, Sandrine Stutzmann, David William Adams

How bacteria colonize surfaces and how they distinguish the individuals around them are fundamental biological questions. Type IV pili are a widespread and multipurpose class of cell surface polymers. Here we directly visualize the DNA-uptake pilus of Vibr ...

2019

Mechanisms of DNA Uptake by Naturally Competent Bacteria

Melanie Blokesch

Transformation is a widespread mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. DNA uptake to the periplasmic compartment requires a DNA-uptake pilus and the DNA-binding protein ComEA. In the gram-negative bacteria, DNA is first pulled toward the outer m ...

2019

Two nanomachines drive evolution in diverse Vibrio species

Noémie Matthey

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has a major impact on bacterial evolution, leading to acquisition or deletion of genes and gene clusters, including those encoding antibiotic resistances and virulence factors. HGT therefore contributes to pathogen emergence, ...

EPFL2019

Neighbor predation linked to natural competence fosters the transfer of large genomic regions in Vibrio cholerae

Christian Iseli, Nicolas Jean Philippe Guex, Noémie Matthey, Melanie Blokesch, Candice Stoudmann, Sandrine Stutzmann

Natural competence for transformation is a primary mode of horizontal gene transfer. Competent bacteria are able to absorb free DNA from their surroundings and exchange this DNA against pieces of their own genome when sufficiently homologous. However, the ...

2019

Ecological implications of gene regulation by TfoX and TfoY among diverse Vibrio species

Noémie Matthey, Melanie Blokesch, Esther Jeanne Collas, Candice Stoudmann, Lisa Christina Metzger

Bacteria of the genus Vibrio are common members of aquatic environments where they compete with other prokaryotes and defend themselves against grazing predators. A macromolecular protein complex called the type VI secretion system (T6SS) is used for both ...

2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa orchestrates twitching motility by sequential control of type IV pili movements

Lorenzo Anton-Louis Talà, Alexandre Louis André Persat

Prokaryotes have the ability to walk on surfaces using type IV pili (TFP), a motility mechanism known as twitching(1,2). Molecular motors drive TFP extension and retraction, but whether and how these movements are coordinated is unknown(3). Here, we reveal ...

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP2019

Insights into flagellar function and mechanism from the squid-vibrio symbiosis

Stéphanie Kéren Cohen

Flagella are essential and multifunctional nanomachines that not only move symbionts towards their tissue colonization site, but also play multiple roles in communicating with the host. Thus, untangling the activities of flagella in reaching, interacting, ...

2019

Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics Linked to Horizontal Gene Transfer in Vibrios

Melanie Blokesch, Frédérique Marie Jeanne Le Roux

Vibrio is a genus of ubiquitous heterotrophic bacteria found in aquatic environments. Although they are a small percentage of the bacteria in these environments, vibrios can predominate during blooms. Vibrios also play important roles in the degradation of ...

2018

Atomic Force Microscopy of Biological Systems: Quantitative Imaging and Nanomotion Detection

Petar Stupar

The core of this thesis is the application of different modalities of atomic force microscopy to study living systems. After a brief introduction, quantitative imaging state of the art is presented and the applications for mammalian, plant, bacterial, and ...

EPFL2018