The Functionality of the TonB System Across the Transduction Pathway
Lindsey Marie Butterfield · ScholarWorks@BGSU (Bowling Green State University) · 2013
The transport process at the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, is influenced by the TonB protein. The TonB protein energizes transport trough specific outer membrane proteins that are involved in iron uptake. It does this by using the energy that is collected from the ion electrochemical gradient of the cytoplasmic membrane, by complexes of ExbB and ExbD proteins. The functions of this system involve a set of poorly understood interactions between TonB, ExbB, ExbD, and the outer membrane transporters. Modifying the amino terminus of ExbB produces a drastic effect that is seen during energy transduction for transport functions. This proves the importance of the amino terminus.