{
  "abstract": "The Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc) Type IV pilus (T4p) is a critical apparatus for colonization and virulence. This molecular machine resides at the host-pathogen interface and mediates adherence to host cells, twitching motility, natural transformation, and resistance to oxidative agents. Previously, we identified a DUF4124 family, T4p component, TfpC. TfpC is required for full T4p elaboration, and deleting the tfpC gene reduced natural transformation competence and resulted in an under-piliated colony morphology. Our earlier models suggested TfpC is composed of an N-terminal transmembrane helix and a proline-rich disordered region followed by a C-terminal coiled-coil. Here, we used targeted structural and genetic approaches to define TfpC's molecular structure. Our new data show that TfpC's N-terminal domain forms a novel, dynamic three-stranded {beta}-sheet structure. These data indicate that the flexible disordered region acts as a linker between the N- and C-terminal domains. Functionally, we illustrate TfpC requires an acidic face within the C-terminal coiled-coil domain to mediate pilus biogenesis and function. This study characterizes a unique protein fold and family and defines the contributions of TfpC's domains to its function.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "King's College London"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "K. R. Nicholson"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Baczynska"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Ploskon"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Simpson"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Oregioni"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Lorenz"
    },
    {
      "name": "H. S. SEIFERT"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "J. Garnett"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b1hw5pzwgbfmc.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.11.06.764878",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.06.764878v1.full",
  "id": "b1hw5pzwgbfmc",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.06.764878v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "microbiology"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.06.764878v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-06",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b1hw5pzwgbfmc.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-10T00:24:16Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.11.06.764878",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.06.764878v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:microbiology",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Structural and functional examination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae TfpC reveals a dynamic two-domain architecture required for type IV pilus function",
  "title_text": "Structural and functional examination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae TfpC reveals a dynamic two-domain architecture required for type IV pilus function",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-10T00:24:16Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b1hw5pzwgbfmc",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}