Proteolytic flagella – from bioinformatics to proteomics & structural biology

Bacterial flagella are microbial nanomachines responsible for cell motility in flagellated bacteria. By thorough bioinformatics and subsequent biochemical analysis, we have identified a family of proteolytic flagella, and demonstrate for the first time that flagella can actually bear enzymatic activity. We now aim for an in depth characterization of the surface exposed proteolytic domain of the Clostridium haemolyticum flagellin FliA(H) to set the stage to elucidate its role in biofilm remodelling and pathogenicity. Bioinformatics, proteomics, crystallography Charakterisierung der proteolytischen Aktivität in Flagellin