Ant Stiller

This is a bacterial flagellar motor … one of nature’s most sophisticated molecular machines - a rotary motor embedded in the cell membrane consisting of ~25-30 protein types totaling 20,000-50,000 atoms in a multi-part structure of rotor, stator, drive shaft, and propeller. Operating at 100-300 Hz (6,000-18,000 RPM) with some species reaching 1,700 Hz (~100,000 RPM) at nearly 100% efficiency, this nanoscale engine features rotor proteins FliG/FliM/FliN forming the C-ring, MotA/MotB stator complexes, FlgG rod protein drive shaft, FliC flagellin propeller filament, and FlgE hook proteins acting as a universal joint, all powered by proton or sodium flow across the membrane generating torque through conformational changes in the stator complexes.