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. 2008 Jun 6;190(15):5472–5479. doi: 10.1128/JB.00321-08

FIG. 6.

FIG. 6.

A model showing the three hexameric ATPases in conjugative T4SS. T4SS in conjugative bacteria contain three hexameric ATPases on the cytoplasmic side of the inner membrane. According to our model, TrwK (VirB4) will be anchored to the membrane by interactions with TrwM (VirB3) and will be involved in energizing substrate transport. TrwK oligomerization will also promote pilus assembly and stabilization of the core components, TrwG and TrwE (VirB8 and VirB10, respectively). TrwD (VirB11) might interact directly with the membrane and/or with TrwK (VirB4) and will provide energy to unfold protein substrates so they can be transported through the membrane. TrwB (VirD4) will be directly attached to the membrane by its transmembrane region at its N-terminal domain and will provide the energy to pump DNA. OM, outer membrane; IM, inner membrane.