Through this cooperative project, the Japanese group, by analyzing the three-dimensional structure and nano-scale movements and functions by X-ray diffraction, electron cryomicroscopy and nano-photometry, has clarified the structural mechanisms of flagellar components, such as the propeller, rotor, and universal joints. The American group has successfully applied genetic engineering techniques to perform detailed functional studies and to overproduce flagellar proteins for biochemical and physicochemical analysis as well as structural studies. The goal of the project is to clarify the mechanisms of self-assembly, switching, and energy transduction of nanomachines by structural/functional analyses and to obtain deep insights into the principle and the design of the macromolecular nanomachines.
In the future, through our understanding of the mechanisms of highly efficient energy conversion even at a level of thermal noise as well as flexible and well-regulated performance of complex biological systems, we aim to develop models for designing and manufacturing useful nanomachines in mass-production scale and build a foundation for bionanotechnology that is friendly to both biological systems and environments.
Cap complex at the distal end of the flagellum (top left); Flexible motions of cap domains promoting self-assembly of flagellin (bottom left); Atomic model of the flagellar filament obtained by X-ray diffraction and electron cryomicroscopy (center); Nanophotometry of the flagellar motor rotation with a 40 nm fluorescent bead as a probe (top right); High frequency fluctuation of the motor rotation observed with a high-speed optical quadrant sensor for bead position measurements (bottom right)
本文转自：China Industry News