Bacterial conjugation implies a trans-membrane passage of DNA, mediated by
proteins encoded in conjugative plasmids. This results in a spread of genet
ic information, including antibiotic resistance acquisition by pathogens. S
pecial cases of conjugation are trans-kingdom gene transfer from bacteria t
o plants or fungi, and even bacterial sporulation and cell division. One of
the main actors in this process is an integral inner membrane DNA-binding
protein, called TrwB in the E. coli R388 conjugative system. It is responsi
ble for coupling the single-strand DNA to be transferred from the donor to
the acceptor cell in its complex with other proteins, with a type IV secret
ion system making up the mating apparatus. The TrwB protomer consists of tw
o domains: a nucleotide-binding domain of alpha/beta topology, similar to R
ecA and DNA ring helicases, and an all-alpha domain. The quaternary structu
re reveals an almost spherical homohexamer, strikingly similar to F-1-ATPas
e. A central 20 Angstrom wide channel traverses the hexamer, thus connectin
g cytoplasm with periplasm. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser
ved.