Dissecting the Organization of a β-Barrel Assembly Machinery (BAM) Complex by Neutron Reflectometry.

The β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex in Gram-negative bacteria facilitates the assembly of β-barrel proteins into the outer membrane. Understanding the protein-protein interactions within this complex is essential for unravelling its functional mechanisms. Here, we present the use of neutron reflectometry for investigating the organization of β-barrel membrane protein complexes in the membrane environment. The spatial organization, protein positioning, protein-lipid interactions, and conformational changes within the complex can be elucidated by this method.