Regulated underexpression of the FliM protein of Escherichia coli and evidence for a location in the flagellar motor distinct from the MotA/MotB torque generators.

Abstract excerpt

The FliM protein of Escherichia coli is essential for the assembly and function of flagella. Here, we report the effects of controlled low-level expression of FliM in a fliM null strain. Disruption of the fliM gene abolishes flagellation. Underexpression of FliM causes cells to produce comparatively few flagella, and most flagella built are defective, producing subnormal average torque and fluctuating rapidly in...

Topics

• Bacterial Proteins
• Cell Movement
• Escherichia coli
• Flagella
• Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
• Genetic Complementation Test
• Mutation
• Phenotype
• Rotation