Introduction

Tripartite efflux pumps are essential for Gram-negative bacteria to expel a wide range of toxic compounds, including antibiotics, across their dual-membrane cell envelope^1–5. Among these systems, the AcrAB–TolC complex of Escherichia coli is one of the most thoroughly studied^2,6. It comprises the inner membrane RND (Resistance–Nodulation– Division) transporter AcrB, the periplasmic membrane fusion protein AcrA, and the outer membrane channel TolC^4,6–9. AcrA, anchored to the inner membrane via N-terminal lipidation, bridges AcrB and TolC, mediating conformational signaling essential for TolC gating^10–12. Structural studies have shown that TolC transitions from a closed to an open state in response to AcrAB assembly, a process crucial for efflux activation^13,14.

Despite significant progress in structurally characterizing the AcrAB–TolC system, fundamental questions remain regarding how TolC is positioned and retained in the outer membrane. Unlike homologous channels such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprM¹⁵ and E. coli CusC¹⁶, which possess covalently attached N-terminal lipids, TolC lacks a lipid anchor. This raises the possibility that E. coli may utilize accessory factors to localize and stabilize TolC during pump assembly. Furthermore, while prior studies using crystallography and low-to-medium resolution cryo-EM have revealed snapshots of the assembled pump^10–14,17, the limited resolution and conformational heterogeneity in those structures impeded accurate modeling of flexible regions and may have masked the presence of additional subunits.

Here, we address these knowledge gaps by determining two high-resolution cryo-EM structures of the TolC-based efflux machinery in E. coli. The first is a 3.56 Å structure of a TolC–YbjP subcomplex, and the second is a 3.39 Å structure of the fully assembled TolC–YbjP–AcrABZ pump. These structures reveal a previously uncharacterized outer membrane lipoprotein, YbjP, bound to TolC, and shed light on how TolC is secured and transitions to the open state. Together, these findings enhance our understanding of the architecture, assembly, and regulation of this clinically important efflux pump.

Results

Structure of a TolC–YbjP closed-state complex

Native purification of Escherichia coli membranes yielded a stable assembly containing the outer-membrane channel TolC. Cryo-EM analysis resolved the complex at 3.56 Å resolution (Figure S1, Supplementary Table 1). TolC forms a homotrimer composed of a β-barrel that spans the outer membrane and an elongated periplasmic α-helical domain (Figures 1A-D). The periplasmic α-helical domain comprises an α-helical barrel extended by two helix-turn-helix (HTH) motifs at its periplasmic extremity (TolC repeat 1: helices H3-H4; repeat 2: helices H7-H8). These structural elements converge at an equatorial domain (green in Figures 1C-D). The inward-bending HTH coiled-coils occlude the periplasmic tunnel, maintaining TolC in a closed conformation—consistent with previous crystal structures¹⁰ (Figure 1C).

Figure 1

An unexpected density at the periplasmic face of TolC indicated the presence of an additional component (wheat in Figures 1A-B). An initial backbone trace, followed by a DALI search¹⁸ tentatively matched Tai3, a periplasmic type IV immunity protein associated with the T6SS amidase effector Tae3 (PDB ID: 4HZ9)¹⁹ from Ralstonia pickettii. However, discrepancies in side chain density and species origin indicated that the match was likely incorrect. Systematic screening of the AlphaFold Database²⁰ using CryoNet²¹ identified E. coli YbjP (UniProt P75818) as the top candidate, with all side chains matching the experimental density (Figure S2). YbjP features a globular domain and a structured N-terminal loop stabilized by a Cys36-Cys144 disulfide bond (Figures 1E-F). The N-terminal loop of YbjP adopts an extended conformation parallel to the first α-helix of TolC’s α-helical barrel, forming substantial intermolecular interfaces. Buried surface area (BSA) analysis reveals 787 Ų of contact with the primary TolC protomer (green in Figure 1F), and 1037.4 Ų with the adjacent protomer (light green), suggesting asymmetric binding energetics. The N-terminal density extends to Cys19, which corresponds to the predicted signal peptide cleavage site, positioning the lipoprotein at the periplasmic face of the outer membrane.

UniProt predictions indicate that YbjP is dually lipidated via N-palmitoyl and S-diacylglycerol modifications, allowing its anchorage to the outer membrane. This represents an elegant evolutionary solution, as while many Gram-negative TolC homologs (e.g., Pseudomonas OprM¹⁵, E. coli CusC¹⁶) possess native lipid anchors, E. coli TolC instead recruits YbjP as a dedicated membrane-tethering partner. The YbjP globular domain nestles between adjacent TolC equational domains, forming a stable 3:3 complex (Figure 1B). The identification of YbjP, along with its defined membrane anchoring and structural compatibility with TolC, suggests a new class of outer membrane partners that may regulate the TolC-dependent pathways.

Structure of TolC-YbjP-AcrABZ complex

An improved 3.39 Å resolution structure of the endogenous AcrAB–TolC complex from E. coli was determined, revealing well-resolved density across the entire assembly (Figure S3, Supplementary Table 1). This structure allows for the accurate modeling of side-chain interactions throughout the tripartite channel, surpassing earlier models in completeness and resolution¹⁴ (Figures S4, S5). YbjP remains bound to TolC, suggesting that this lipoprotein is stably retained during pump assembly and functions as a molecular clamp that anchors TolC to the outer membrane during AcrA and AcrB engagement (Figures 2A-D).

Figure 2

The TolC–YbjP–AcrABZ complex adopts a funnel-like architecture spanning the cell envelope, consistent with prior models of tripartite pumps¹⁴ (Figure 2B). TolC, tethered to YbjP, caps the outer-membrane end and docks onto a hexameric ring of AcrA adaptors in the periplasm, which in turn surrounds the AcrBZ trimer embedded in the inner membrane (Figures 2B, 2D). The full assembly is about 33 nm tall, matching the distance between the two membranes. The complex was purified directly from E. coli as a stoichiometric assembly, without the need for artificial fusion or crosslinking.

Cryo-EM density reveals six AcrA molecules beneath each TolC trimer (Figure 2D), yielding a 3:6:3 stoichiometry for TolC:AcrA:AcrB. AcrA therefore forms an elongated hexamer that bridges TolC and AcrB. Three sets of interfaces stabilize the pump: contacts between the AcrB trimer and the basal regions of AcrA, extensive AcrA– AcrA interactions within the hexameric ring, and tip-to-tip junctions between the upper AcrA α-helical hairpin and TolC (Figure 2D). While each AcrA protomer maintains the characteristic four-domain architecture—comprising the α-helical hairpin, lipoyl, β-barrel, and membrane-proximal domains—functional asymmetry is observed in their interactions (Figure 2E). The trimeric TolC, which contains six HTH motifs due to internal repeats (TolC repeat 1/2), engages the AcrA hexamer via quasi-equivalent binding: adjacent AcrA and AcrA* protomers interact differentially with the intra- and inter-protomer grooves of TolC, respectively (Figure 2F). The primary structural difference between AcrA and AcrA* lies in the configurations of their membrane-proximal (MP) domains (Figure 2E).

AcrB assembles as a homotrimer on the inner membrane, with each protomer comprising three distinct domains: a funnel domain, a porter domain, and a transmembrane domain (Figure 2D). The funnel domain consists of DN and DC subdomains (Figure 2G). The porter domain is organized into four subdomains (PN1, PN2, PC1, and PC2) arranged in a clockwise orientation when viewed from the periplasmic side, with PN1 positioned closest to the central axis of the trimer. In the hexameric AcrA assembly, the lipoyl and β-barrel domains form two stacked concentric rings. While the lipoyl domains remain uninvolved in AcrB binding, the β-barrel domains specifically engage the funnel domain of AcrB. Strikingly, the membrane-proximal (MP) subdomains of AcrA exhibit asymmetric binding: AcrA-MP interacts with the DC and PC1 subdomains of AcrB, whereas AcrA*-MP contacts PN1 and DN via an extended loop, respectively (Figures 2G-H). This differential engagement of MP subdomains establishes the structural basis for the observed structural divergence between AcrA and AcrA* (Figure 2E).

Our density maps clearly resolve the small transmembrane protein AcrZ (49 amino acids) bound to each AcrB protomer (Figures 2C, 2D). AcrZ adopts a helical structure that is embedded within a hydrophobic groove formed by the transmembrane helices of AcrB at the predicted interaction site, forming an AcrB₃AcrZ₃ complex. Although AcrZ is not essential for pump assembly, its consistent presence in natively purified complexes and its role in stabilizing otherwise flexible regions—particularly the transmembrane helices—suggest that AcrZ may serve an allosteric role in modulating conformational dynamics for specific substrates²². Collectively, these interactions illustrate the sophisticated assembly mechanism of the pump: AcrZ reinforces AcrB’s transmembrane domain, AcrB’s funnel and porter domains anchor AcrA, and AcrA’s α-helical hairpins engage TolC. Notably, the holocomplex remained intact throughout purification, indicating a high-affinity assembly between components, consistent with prior in vitro reconstitution studies²³.

Structural rearrangements underlying TolC’s closed-to-open transition

A comparative structural analysis of TolC in its closed and open states reveals a striking iris-like dilation mechanism at the periplasmic entrance that facilitates transition to the fully open conformation (Figures 3A-B). Throughout this conformational transition, the transmembrane β-barrel and α-helical barrel domains maintain remarkable structural rigidity, whereas the coiled-coil helices undergo dramatic rearrangement. These helices pivot around the equatorial domain, undergoing a 27° rigid-body superhelical rotation (Figure 3C), which constitutes a major structural rearrangement. In the closed state, a complex network of interprotomer hydrogen bonds stabilizes the structure by constricting the pore to its narrowest point at Asp396 (Figures 3D,3F). Upon disruption of this network in the open state, the pore expands significantly, reaching a diameter of approximately 2 nm (Figures 3E-F). Notably, YbjP remains stably association with TolC in both conformational states – the closed resting state and the open activated state (Figure 3C). This persistent interaction suggests that YbjP serves as a structural scaffold: anchoring TolC in the outer membrane, accommodating conformational changes during activation, and functionally compensating for TolC’s lack of intrinsic lipidation. These findings not only support existing models of allosteric pump activation^12,17, but also suggest how E. coli might utilize YbjP to fulfill the membrane-anchoring role typically provided by intrinsic lipid modifications in other bacterial TolC homologs, such as OprM and CusC^24,25.

Figure 3

Mechanism of substrate transport in the AcrB module

The AcrAB-TolC efflux system actively transports substrates against their concentration gradient, moving them from regions of low to high concentration. This energetically unfavorable process is driven by proton motive force (PMF), with the AcrB trimer harnessing the electrochemical potential of protons to power substrate translocation²⁶.

Structural and functional studies support an asymmetric rotary mechanism, wherein each AcrB protomer sequentially transitions through three conformational states: L (loose), T (tight), and O (open)^17,27. This concerted conformational rotation – analogous to the functional cycling of F₁F₀ ATP synthase during ATP synthesis – enables continuous vectorial transport through the pump complex²⁸.

Our high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the endogenous TolC-YbjP-AcrABZ complex captures the AcrB trimer in three distinct conformational states (L, T, O), providing key mechanistic insights (Figure 4A). While the transmembrane domain remains largely conserved between the L and T states (Figure 4B, upper panel)— maintaining salt bridges between Lys940 (TM10) and Asp407/Asp408 (TM4), the T→O transition entails a coordinated rotation of TM2, TM4, TM5, and TM6, disrupting these interactions (Figure 4B, lower panel). Substrate entry occurs between PC1 and PC2 in the L state (Figure 4C, left panel), followed by an 8 Å shift of PC2 toward PC1 during the L→T transition (Figure 4D, lower panel and Figure S6), facilitating drug transfer from the access pocket to the high-affinity deep binding pocket (Figure 4C, middle panel).

Figure 4

Remarkably, PC1 remains in contact with AcrA throughout the cycle (Figure S6). Proton translocation through the transmembrane domain induces three coordinated events: (1) a further 5 Å compaction between PC2 and PC1 (Figure 4D, T, O states in lower panel); (2) inward rotation of PN2’s cytoplasmic face (Figure 4D, T, O states in upper panel); and (3) outward opening of PN1’s periplasmic side—together expelling the substrate into the central channel. This rotary mechanism, reminiscent of F₁F₀ ATP synthase, is completed when the pump resets to the L state, initiating a new catalytic cycle.

Discussion

Based on our structural data, we propose a model for the assembly and function of the AcrABZ–TolC multidrug efflux pump, emphasizing the anchoring and orienting role of YbjP. As shown in Figure 5, the assembly begins with TolC priming. In the absence of AcrAB, TolC is embedded in the outer membrane in a closed conformation, stabilized by its interaction with YbjP. The lipid moiety of YbjP inserts into the inner leaflet of the outer membrane, possibly interacting transiently with the peptidoglycan layer to help position TolC within the periplasmic space. Such anchoring likely ensures optimal orientation of TolC’s periplasmic end for interaction with incoming AcrA.

Figure 5

Upon synthesis and membrane insertion, AcrB (complexed with AcrZ) and AcrA form an inner membrane–periplasmic subcomplex^29,30. A conserved cysteine residue in AcrA, located near the inner membrane, may aid in anchoring or stabilizing the complex. The complete tripartite pump likely assembles via stochastic encounters between the AcrAB subcomplex and the TolC–YbjP complex in the periplasm. Stabilization likely occurs through tip-to-tip interactions between the hairpin domains of AcrA and TolC³¹. YbjP may facilitate this docking by stabilizing TolC in a fixed, properly oriented conformation, thereby increasing its local availability to AcrAB and lowering the energy barrier for assembly. In this context, YbjP may act as a structural placeholder that guides AcrA toward the TolC entrance. Although its exact function remains to be confirmed, YbjP’s consistent presence in our cryo-EM reconstructions and its predicted lipoprotein features suggest an anchoring role. Based on our structural observations and UniProt annotations, we propose that YbjP contributes to TolC stabilization in the outer membrane and facilitates its spatial orientation for efficient pump assembly.

Once assembled, the AcrABZ–TolC complex becomes active for drug efflux, allowing substrates such as antibiotics and dyes to enter AcrB from the periplasm and be expelled through TolC^32,33. At the core of this process is the conserved D407–D408 proton relay pair in AcrB’s transmembrane domain, which functions as both the proton-binding site and the mechanochemical coupling hub^34,35. Protonation of these residues initiates conformational changes that propagate from the transmembrane domain to the porter domain via an allosteric mechanism.

The AcrB trimer operates via an asymmetric rotary cycle^17,27, with each protomer sequentially transitioning through three distinct conformational states (L→T→O) to drive peristaltic drug transport. This concerted conformational rotation – bearing striking similarity to the catalytic cycle of F₁F₀ ATP synthase²⁸ – enables continuous, vectorial substrate transport against concentration gradients, powered by proton translocation.

In conclusion, we identify YbjP as a previously unrecognized lipoprotein associated with the AcrAB–TolC efflux system. Although its precise function requires further validation, YbjP’s structural positioning suggests a role in anchoring TolC and promoting tripartite pump assembly—critical for bacterial resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds. Notably, our structure captures all three conformational states of the AcrB trimer (L, T, O) within the context of the fully assembled, native AcrABZ–TolC complex for the first time. While these states have been observed in isolated AcrB previously, our data reveal subtle but functionally relevant conformational differences that arise in the intact pump. This study exemplifies how high-resolution cryo-EM, in combination with integrative modeling, can reveal previously uncharacterized protein factors and enhance our understanding of complex membrane-spanning systems in bacteria.

Method details

Cell preparation and membrane protein extraction

Escherichia coli C600 cells were cultured to mid-log phase and then infected with a high-titer λ phage to increase cellular stress. Cells were harvested by centrifugation and resuspended in buffer containing 25 mM Tris-HCl and 150 mM NaCl (pH 8.0).

Lysozyme was added to a final concentration of 10 mg/mL, followed by incubation at 37 °C for 2 hours to facilitate cell lysis. Following removal of cell debris by centrifugation at 24,793 × g for 20 min, membrane proteins were extracted from the supernatant using 2% n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM). The membrane fraction was subsequently subjected to size-exclusion chromatography using a SR6 Increase column.

Fractions around 12 mL, which were enriched for target proteins, were collected, diluted, and used for negative staining. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of target particles.

Cryo-EM grid preparation

The sample was concentrated to 0.7 mg/mL. A volume of 4 µL was applied to a glow-discharged Au Quantifoil R1.2/1.3 300 mesh grid (glow discharge: medium setting, 30 s). To enhance the concentration of protein on the grid, sample loading was repeated ten times: after each loading, excess solution was gently removed using a pipette tip, and a fresh 4 µL aliquot was applied. The grid was then plunge-frozen in liquid ethane pre- cooled with liquid nitrogen using a Vitrobot Mark IV (Thermo Fisher Scientific).

Blotting was performed for 3.5 s after a 30 s wait time, under 100% humidity at 8 °C.

Cryo-EM data collection

A total of 3452 movies were acquired using a 300 kV Titan Krios transmission electron microscope (Thermo Fisher Scientific) equipped with a Gatan K3 Summit direct electron detector. The calibrated pixel size was 0.675 Å. Each movie was recorded with a total electron dose of ∼50 e⁻/Ų, and defocus values ranged from -1.2 to -1.8 µm. Data collection was automated using the AutoEMation software³⁶.

Image processing

Motion correction and contrast transfer function (CTF) estimation were carried out in CryoSPARC³⁷. Poor-quality micrographs were manually excluded. 43,200 particles corresponding to TolC were identified during 2D classification. Ab-initio reconstruction and NU-refinement applied with C3 symmetry generated a reference model for further picking. Template picking, ab-initio reconstruction in C1 symmetry, and NU-refinement in C3 symmetry followed. The resulting map at 4.17 Å resolution was further improved to 3.56 Å after reference-based motion correction (RBMC), CTF refinement, and NU-refinement.

From the same dataset, TolC-AcrABZ particle selection was performed using blob picking, followed by particle extraction and several rounds of 2D classification, which yielded 19,396 high-quality particles. These were used for ab-initio reconstruction and non-uniform (NU) refinement to generate an initial 3D model, which was subsequently used for template picking. After template picking and further 2D classification, a total of 35,092 particles were selected. Final refinement steps—including NU-refinement, RBMC, and local CTF refinement—resulted in a 3D map at 3.23 Å resolution. Since the AcrB subunit exhibits intrinsic structural asymmetry, C3 symmetry was initially relaxed through symmetry expansion combined with 3D classification without rotational/translational alignment. One predominant class was selected after deduplication of symmetry-expanded particles. Local refinement in C1 symmetry better resolved the asymmetric AcrB region. A subsequent masked 3D classification revealed a particle subset containing distinct extra densities, which underwent local refinement with re-applied C3 symmetry to enhance resolution of symmetric structural components.

Protein model building and structure refinement

The atomic models of TolC, AcrA, AcrB, AcrZ were rigid-body fitted into their corresponding cryo-EM maps using UCSF Chimera³⁸. To identify the extra densities observed in both EM maps, a backbone model was manually traced. Protein identity was assessed using the “Protein Searching without Sequence” function in CryoNet²¹. YbjP (P75818) was ranked highest among E. coli proteins in the AlphaFold Database (AFDB, strain 4364). Side-chain densities in the final EM maps were manually compared to the predicted model, allowing confirmation of YbjP as the protein corresponding to the extra density. Subsequent manual adjustments to the models were performed using COOT³⁹. The refinement of the protein structures was conducted using either PHENIX⁴⁰ or Refmac5⁴¹. Statistical details regarding the 3D reconstruction and model refinement processes are provided in Supplementary Table S1. Visual representations of the structures were generated using PyMol⁴² or UCSF ChimeraX⁴³.

Data availability

Cryo-EM maps and the associated structural coordinates have been respectively deposited into the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB) and the Protein Data Bank (PDB) under the following accession codes: EMD-64784 / 9V52 (TolC-YbjP); EMD-64785 / 9V53 (TolC-YbjP-AcrABZ); and EMD-64787 / 9V55 (TolC-YbjP-AcrA local).

Supplementary figures and tables

Figure S1.

Figure S2.

Figure S3.

Figure S4.

Figure S5.

Figure S6.

Table S1.

Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the Tsinghua University Branch of the China National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing) for their generous assistance with cryo-EM facility support and computational resources on the Bio-Computing Platform cluster. Additionally, we appreciate the valuable technical support from J. Lei, X. Li, and F. Yang. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 32501078 to X.G. and 32371254, 32171190 to J.W.).

Additional information

Author contributions

X.G. and J.W. conceived the project. X.G. and Z.G. optimized the preparation of cryo-grids, recorded the cryo-EM data, and processed this data. J.W. built the atomic models.

X.G. and J.W. wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Funding

MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (32501078)

• Xiaofei Ge

MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (32371254)

• Jiawei Wang

MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (32171190)

• Jiawei Wang