This domain consists of the adjacent Saf-Nte and Saf-pilin chains of the pilus-forming complex. Pilus assembly in Gram-negative bacteria involves a Donor-strand exchange mechanism between the C- and the N-termini of this domain. The C-terminal subuni ...
This domain consists of the adjacent Saf-Nte and Saf-pilin chains of the pilus-forming complex. Pilus assembly in Gram-negative bacteria involves a Donor-strand exchange mechanism between the C- and the N-termini of this domain. The C-terminal subunit forms an incomplete Ig-fold which is then complemented by the 10-18 residue N-terminus of another, incoming, pilus subunit which is not involved in the Ig-fold. The N-terminus sequences contain a motif of alternating hydrophobic residues that occupy the P2 to P5 binding pockets in the groove of the first pilus subunit [1].
