Biogenesis of the TssJLM complex begins with the initial positioning of the TssJ outer membrane (OM) lipoprotein (a) and the sequential recruitment of the TssM (b) and TssL (c) inner membrane (IM) proteins. TssM binds to the TssJ lipoprotein via its C-terminal -domain 3 (dark blue) and recruits the MltE LTG (green ball) via its -domain 1+2 (light blue). The TssM-mediated activation of MltE creates localized degradation in the cell wall (PG) allowing polymerization of the TssJLM complex (d). The crystal and electron microscopy structures are shown (TssJ, PDB:3RX9 64; TssMP-TssJ complex, PDB:4Y7O 30; TssL cytoplasmic domain, PDB: 3U66 87; TssJLM complex, EMDB:2927 30). 