Overview

• An international research team discovered that the spiral shape of Rhodospirillum rubrum is controlled by porins and the lipoprotein PapS.
• The porins, previously known for nutrient exchange, form a helical structure that influences cell growth direction.
• When PapS is absent or its binding to porins is disrupted, the bacteria lose their spiral shape and become straight.
• The study suggests this mechanism could apply to other curved bacteria, impacting their ecological roles and interactions.
• Understanding bacterial shape could aid in developing methods to combat pathogens that rely on specific shapes for virulence.