Decoding the roles of pilotins and accessory proteins in secretin escort services

Secretins are channels that allow translocation of macromolecules across the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. Virulence, natural competence, and motility are among the functions mediated by these large oligomeric protein assemblies. Filamentous phage also uses secretins to exit their bacterial host without causing cell lysis. However, the secretin is only a part of a larger membrane-spanning complex, and additional proteins are often …