Molecular Playground/Bacterial Chemotaxis Complex

From Proteopedia

One of the CBI Molecules being studied in the University of Massachusetts Amherst Chemistry-Biology Interface Program at UMass Amherst.

Bacterial chemotaxis is a method for cells to sense and adapt to chemicals in their environment. It is carried out by large arrays of membrane associated multi-protein complexes that form at the poles of the cells. The major players involved are the transmembrane receptor, histidine kinase CheA, and adaptor protein CheW. Repellants and attractants bind to the periplasmic domain of the receptor. The signal is then relayed within the cytoplasm to ultimately control CheA's kinase activity and subsequently the second messenger protein CheY which is responsible changing the direction of the flagellar motor and therefore the swimming direction.