The biochemical role of the protein, TonB, was relatively unknown for decades, but recent research has helped clear that up. TonB was noted to be especially important, as it is a pivotal factor in the membrane protein of Gram-negative bacteria—specifically aiding in the uptake of iron into the microorganism. The key in this discovery is finding it within the parameters of Gram-negative bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria, as opposed to Gram-positive bacteria, are typically considered the more virulent of the two types of bacteria because of a cell wall found only in Gram-negative bacteria that act as a physical barrier against antibiotics. Gram-negative bacteria cause a significant number of serious diseases and clinical conditions. In the spectrum of the medicinal aspect of microorganisms, Gram-negative bacteria are perceived as posing a threat to the progression of anti-biotics.
TonB is classified as a protein beta-barrel and acts in concert with a series of signals from the outside environment. These signals are then transported through a process that brings the components from the outside environment, through the two membranes of the cell, and into the cytoplasm. Klebba et al, was able to shed light on TonB’s specifics, showing that a spinning motion generates enough energy and the ideal kinetic mechanisms to allow for the uptake of iron ions. The article describes this concerted effort as being “required [for] iron biological processes like energy generation and DNA” into the cell. The iron ions are then integrated into the process of gene transcription and the activation of targeted genes. Klebba describes the method in which TonB performs as an “electric motor” that rotates as energy flow passes through the membrane, stating the importance and influence TonB has in the integrity of the cell wall.
The discovery of TonB’s specific mechanisms bring hope that future antibiotics could impede the functions that are crucial to the microorganism’s survival. The disabling of the methods used for bacteria obtaining could be a gateway to providing benefits in synthesizing more effective medicine to fight bacterial related illnesses.