Page 194 - The Miracle of Protein

192 THE MIRACLE OF PROTEIN

hinges allowing movement and move the proteins that bind the
flagella to the cell membrane. Even the simplified models of the

system reveal a lot about the complexity of the system.
The motor of the bacteria flagella first makes up the rotor
circle with Fli-F proteins coming together. These parts made
up of proteins recognize each other and with inspiration from
God, continue to build themselves. After the engine is built, the
hook proteins first build the hook structure and the flagellum
proteins produce the flagella, which acts like a propeller. It is

known that more than 30,000 proteins are used in the flagella
area. Flagellum molecules are secreted inside the cell, pass
through the inner canal of the motor, sent outside and build the
fast rotating structure that we call the flagella.
However, this structure wears out in time and its parts

need replacing. At this point, another miracle shows itself. The
three-dimensional electron microscope images of these atomic
structures reveal that the canal linking the center of motor to
the external environment is extremely narrow, only 2 nanome-
ters. Thus, while the diameter of the flagella is 40 nm, the tunnel
used for transportation of the materials is only 2nm! However,
the bacterial flagella’s self-construction must take place through

parts added to the top. For this reason, the proteins produced
inside the cell have to pass through this 2 nm tunnel before they
can be added to the tip of the bacterial flagella.

The most critical point

Proteins cannot pass through this canal because of their
three-dimensional structure. To overcome this hurdle, the
three-dimensional structure is unfolded and the protein passes
through the canal in the form of an amino acid chain. Later,