Evolution of the Stator Elements of Rotary Prokaryote Motors

J Bacteriol. 2020 Jan 15;202(3):e00557-19. doi: 10.1128/JB.00557-19. Print 2020 Jan 15.

Abstract

The bacterial flagellar motor is driven by an ion flux that is converted to torque by motor-attendant complexes known as stators. The dynamics of stator assembly around the motor in response to external stimuli have been the subject of much recent research, but less is known about the evolutionary origins of stator complexes and how they select for specific ions. Here, we review the latest structural and biochemical data for the stator complexes and compare these with other ion transporters and microbial motors to examine possible evolutionary origins of the stator complex.

Keywords: Archaea; chemotaxis; emergent complexity; evolution; flagellar gene regulation; flagellar motility; flagellar structure; ion channels; secretion systems; stators.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Archaea / genetics
  • Archaea / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Chemotaxis / physiology
  • Flagella / metabolism*
  • Flagella / physiology*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / genetics
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Molecular Motor Proteins