Electron microscopy images reveal crucial structures and mechanisms within the molecular machinery that certain bacteria use ...

and hitherto they have been regarded as ‘‘flagella or motor-organs. Motility of bacteria is thought to be due to activity of these threads, either by themselves or twisted into a tail.

When speaking of motors, most people think of those powering vehicles and human machinery. However, biological motors have existed for millions of years in microorganisms.

Among these, many bacterial species have tail-like structures--called flagella--that spin around to propel themselves in fluids. These movements employ protein complexes known as the "flagellar motor.

Against this backdrop, a research team led by Assistant Professor Nishikino Tatsuro from Nagoya Institute of Technology analyzed the flagellar motor in the bacterial species Vibrio alginolyticus.

Against this backdrop, a research team led by Assistant Professor Tatsuro Nishikino from Nagoya Institute of Technology analyzed the flagellar motor in the bacterial species Vibrio alginolyticus.

We also characterize the structure and function of membrane proteins, such as those that make up the flagellum ‘motor’ complex that powers bacterial movement. After revealing this complex ...

Namba Protonic NanoMachine Project studied the structure and function of the bacterial flagellum as a huge molecular system based on the ... Motor proteins having membrane-spanning structures were ...