P. Lynne Howell

Reversible biological motion with unidirectional catalysis through inversion of ATPase orientation

The paper shows how the Tad motor ATPase CpaF achieves reversible pilus motion through physical inversion of its orientation, using a single unidirectional catalytic cycle.

FimX regulates type IV pilus localization via the Pil-Chp chemosensory system in Acinetobacter baylyi

This paper identifies FimX as a regulator of T4P positioning in Acinetobacter baylyi through interaction with the Pil-Chp chemosensory system.

Autoaggregation in Streptococcus intermedius is driven by the Pel polysaccharide

This study identifies the Pel polysaccharide as a driver of autoaggregation in S. intermedius, linking it to biofilm formation and increased pathogenicity.

Coordinated conformational changes in the Tad pilus ATPase CpaF facilitate a rotary mechanism of catalysis

The paper determines cryo-EM structures of CpaF in different conformations and proposes a rotary mechanism of catalysis for Tad pilus assembly and disassembly.

Structural and functional analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PelA provides insight into the modification of the Pel exopolysaccharide

This study determines the structure of PelA and shows it modifies Pel through deacetylation and hydrolysis, with PelAB interaction enhancing deacetylation and guiding export.

A systematic pipeline for classifying bacterial operons reveals the evolutionary landscape of biofilm machineries

This paper presents a systematic pipeline to classify bacterial operons and reveals the evolutionary landscape of biofilm machineries through phylogenetic clustering and genomic-proximity network analysis.