Structure and function of the archaeal response regulator CheY

Motility is a key feature for the success of microorganisms, as it allows the movement to optimal growth environments. Bacteria and archaea possess filamentous motility structures capable of rotation. However, both molecular machines consist of fundamentally different proteins and lack structural similarity. Intriguingly, some archaea possess the chemotaxis system. This system allows bacteria to travel along chemical gradients and is dependent on interaction of the response regulator CheY with the motor of the motility structure. In this study, we map the changes of the CheY protein structure required for its interaction with components of the archaeal motility machinery.