Ultrastructure of a periodic protein layer in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli

Abstract

Matrix protein (36,500 daltons), one of the major polypeptides of the E. coli cell envelope, is arranged in a periodic monolayer which covers the outer surface of the peptidoglycan. Although its association with the peptidoglycan layer is probably tight, the periodic structure is maintained in the absence of peptidoglycan, and is therefore based on strong protein protein interactions. A detailed analysis of the ultrastructure of the matrix protein array by electron microscopy and image processing of specimens prepared by negative staining or by freeze drying and shadowing shows that the molecules are arranged according to three fold symmetry on a hexagonal lattice whose repeat is 7.7 nm. The most pronounced feature of the unit cell, which probably contains three molecules of matrix protein, is a triplet of indentations, each approx. 2 nm in diameter, with a center to center spacing of 3 nm. They are readily penetrated by stain and may represent channels which span the protein monolayer.