Oil and water don’t mix, but have to : insights into cell membrane biogenesis from neutron scattering

Orateur : Nathan ZACCAI (University of Cambridge)

Contrast Variation Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) has provided critical insights into the biogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria. Their cell envelope consists of two membranes, the inner membrane and the outer membrane, that are separated by the periplasm. These membranes differ with respect to their lipid composition, but also in the structure of their integral membrane proteins. Importantly, the latter are synthesized in the cytoplasm, before being transported to their correct membrane. Unlike other structural techniques, like X-rays, NMR and cryoEM, SANS analysis was able to directly address the molecular basis of this process, bringing to the fore a possible convergent evolution in the biological mechanisms involved.

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