Microscopic 'Clutch' Puts Flagellum In Neutral

Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 14:21 in Biology & Nature

A tiny but powerful engine that propels the bacterium Bacillus subtilis through liquids is disengaged from the corkscrew-like flagellum by a protein clutch, scientists have learned. Their report appears in Science. Scientists have long known what drives the flagellum to spin, but what causes the flagellum to stop spinning -- temporarily or permanently -- was unknown.

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