Bacterial Organization at the Smallest Level: Molecular Motors, Nanowires, and Outer Membrane Vesicles

Abstract

Bacterial cells do not have many cytoplasmic structures but they do have several nanostructures that have considerable molecular organization. Associated with the plasma membrane of bacteria are the structures that drive the rotation of bacterial flagella and the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). These nanostructures perform work for the cell and have been considered as nanomotors or molecular motors. In addition to these rotary nanomotors, bacteria also have linear molecular motors that produce biopolymers and secrete biomaterials across the plasma membrane. While a great deal is known about how these molecular motors work, there remains a lot to understand how bacteria convert chemical energy to mechanical translocation. Outside some bacterial cells there are conductive pili, nanowires, and outer membrane vesicles (OMV). It is clear that nanowires engage in the unique phenomenon of extracellular electron transport. OMV serve to transfer different types of biomaterials to host cells or modify the environment to afford a better area for bacterial growth. This review examines the current organization and activities of bacterial molecular motors, nanowires, and OMV.