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Flagellin

Flagellin is a protein that forms the flagella, or long tail, in bacterial flagellum. Due to its natural molecular structure, flagellin arranges itself into a hollow cylinder in a helical shape, which is essential to its function. In flagellated bacteria, flagellin is one of the most common proteins in the cell.

The flagella in a bacterium moves in order to propel the cell forward. It can do this because of certain unique properties of flagellin. Flagellin forms into tubules to create a flagella, and a cross-section of the tubules shows that it looks a little like a spoked wheel. The "spokes," actually a short protein called dinein, react to ATP in such a way that they force the sides of the tubule to expand and contract – which results in the wiggling thrash of the flagella.

Mammals tend to have a strong immune system response to flagellin since it's one of the most common proteins in some disease-causing bacteria. In mammals, there is a specific T-cell receptor for flagellin. Bacteria, of course, respond by trying to overcome the response; some can switch between different flagellin genes to try to trick mammalian immune cells.

Web Resources On Flagellin

Flagellin as an activator of the proinflammatory gene program
Cilia and Flagella

Book Resources On Flagellin

Internal mechanics of the helical flagellum by Kristian E Schreiner
Observations on flagellum structure in Flagellata by Dorothy Pitelka

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