A method for the quantification of membrane fluidity in bacteria
Membrane fluidity is a critical element in bacterial phenotype: it is the parameter that governs the rate of diffusion of membrane proteins. The fluidity of a membrane is modulated by the physical parameters of its environment, first and foremost by temperature: when the temperature drops, so does the fluidity of a membrane. In response to […]
Organisation of MreB protein protofilaments in Gram-positive bacteria
First observation by electron microscopy of pairs of organised protofilaments and first three-dimensional structure of the bacterial homologue of MreB actin from a Gram-positive bacterium Research into eukaryotic actin has historically focused on elucidating structure-function relationships from in vitro studies. However, purification of the prokaryotic actin MreB has proved particularly difficult, thwarting efforts to carry […]