Throwing the switch in bacterial chemotaxis

Abstract

In Escherichia coli chemotaxis, the switch from counterclockwise to clockwise rotation of the flagella occurs as a result of binding of the phosphorylated CheY protein to the base of the flagellum. Analysis of CheY variants has provided a picture of the surface of CheY that undergoes conformational shifts, as a result of phosphorylation, to interact directly with the flagellum. Whether phospho-CheY binding and flagellar switching are sequential steps or can occur in a concerted fashion has yet to be determined.