Changes in the baseplate arms' positions are relayed to the wedge modules and tail sheath initiator proteins, causing their iris-like expansion 👁️ and triggering a gradual tail sheath contraction. This 🌊-like process drives the tail tube through the host cell wall 💉.

8/11

The tripod complexes undergo an intra-molecular change. They then “hold hands” together 🤝, stabilizing the post-attachment (contracted) baseplate structure.

But how can they reach peptidoglycan covered by teichoic acids❓

5/11

Upon interaction with the host, the baseplate changes structure, starting with the arms 🦾. These changes include reorienting receptor-binding proteins and tripod complexes that bind to 🦠 via high-avidity interactions with teichoic acids and peptidoglycan.

4/11

We used #cryoEM #Xray #NMR #AlphaFold to reconstruct and interpret the phi812 baseplate and tail in detail 🔎. The baseplate of phi812 comprises a core, wedge modules, and baseplate arms that carry receptor-binding proteins 1 & 2 and large tripod complexes.

3/11