A model of bacterial flagella based on small-angle x-ray scattering and hydrodynamic data which indicated an elongated shape of the flagellin protomer.

Abstract

An arrangement of protomers in flagella is suggested which is based on the finding that flagellin molecules in solution are highly elongated. The model offers an explanation of the V‐shaped arrow tips and tail ends in contrast to earlier models constructed from spherical subunits. A number of protomers of 8 to 10 follows from the mass per length ratio of flagella obtained from smallangel X‐ray scattering. The latter is consistent with a hollow cylinder of outer diameter 15 nm and inner diameter 3 nm.