Molecular Playground/Bacterial Chemotaxis Complex

spinqualitylabelsall models Ternary complex of the truncated receptor (gray), CheA (blue), and CheW (cyan) 3UR1 Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image

One of the CBI Molecules being studied in the University of Massachusetts Amherst Chemistry-Biology Interface Program at UMass Amherst.

Bacterial chemotaxis is a method for cells to sense and adapt to chemicals in their environment. It is carried out by large arrays of membrane associated multi-protein complexes that form at the poles of the cells. The major players involved are the transmembrane receptor, histidine kinase CheA, and adaptor protein CheW. Repellants and attractants bind to the periplasmic domain of the receptor which then relays the signal within the cell to ultimately control CheA's kinase activity.