scholarly journals The signal recognition particle receptor is a complex that contains two distinct polypeptide chains.

1986 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 1167-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Tajima ◽  
L Lauffer ◽  
V L Rath ◽  
P Walter
Keyword(s):  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Liver Microsomes ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Detergent Solution ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Cellular Machinery ◽  
Polypeptide Chains ◽  
Er Membrane

Signal recognition particle (SRP) and SRP receptor are known to be essential components of the cellular machinery that targets nascent secretory proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Here we report that the SRP receptor contains, in addition to the previously identified and sequenced 69-kD polypeptide (alpha-subunit, SR alpha), a 30-kD beta-subunit (SR beta). When SRP receptor was purified by SRP-Sepharose affinity chromatography, we observed the co-purification of two other ER membrane proteins. Both proteins are approximately 30 kD in size and are immunologically distinct from each other, as well as from SR alpha and SRP proteins. One of the 30-kD proteins (SR beta) forms a tight complex with SR alpha in detergent solution that is stable to high salt and can be immunoprecipitated with antibodies to either SR alpha or SR beta. Both subunits are present in the ER membrane in equimolar amounts and co-fractionate in constant stoichiometry when rough and smooth liver microsomes are separated on sucrose gradients. We therefore conclude that SR beta is an integral component of SRP receptor. The presence of SR beta was previously masked by proteolytic breakdown products of SR alpha observed by others and by the presence of another 30-kD ER membrane protein (mp30) which co-purifies with SR alpha. Mp30 binds to SRP-Sepharose directly and is present in the ER membrane in several-fold molar excess of SR alpha and SR beta. The affinity of mp30 for SRP suggests that it may serve a yet unknown function in protein translocation.

scholarly journals Protein translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane: identification by photocross-linking of a 39-kD integral membrane glycoprotein as part of a putative translocation tunnel.

1989 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 2033-2043 ◽  
Author(s):  
U C Krieg ◽  
A E Johnson ◽  
P Walter
Keyword(s):  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane ◽  
Membrane Glycoprotein ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Er Membrane

The molecular environment of secretory proteins during translocation across the ER membrane was examined by photocross-linking. Nascent preprolactin chains of various lengths, synthesized by in vitro translation of truncated messenger RNAs in the presence of N epsilon-(5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyl)-Lys-tRNA, signal recognition particle, and microsomal membranes, were used to position photoreactive probes at various locations within the membrane. Upon photolysis, each nascent chain species was cross-linked to an integral membrane glycoprotein with a deduced mass of 39 kD (mp39) via photoreactive lysines located in either the signal sequence or the mature prolactin sequence. Thus, different portions of the nascent preprolactin chain are in close proximity to the same membrane protein during the course of translocation, and mp39 therefore appears to be part of the translocon, the specific site of protein translocation across the ER membrane. The similarity of the molecular and cross-linking properties of mp39 and the glyco-protein previously identified as a signal sequence receptor (Wiedmann, M., T. V. Kurzchalia, E. Hartmann, and T. A. Rapoport. 1987. Nature [Lond.]. 328: 830-833) suggests that these two proteins may be identical. Our data indicate, however, that mp39 does not (or not only) function as a signal sequence receptor, but rather may be part of a putative translocation tunnel.

scholarly journals Signal recognition particle receptor is important for cell growth and protein secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 895-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
S C Ogg ◽  
M A Poritz ◽  
P Walter
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Er Membrane

In mammalian cells, the signal recognition particle (SRP) receptor is required for the targeting of nascent secretory proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. We have identified the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of the alpha-subunit of the SRP receptor (SR alpha) and characterized its function in vivo. S. cerevisiae SR alpha is a 69-kDa peripheral membrane protein that is 32% identical (54% chemically similar) to its mammalian homologue and, like mammalian SR alpha, is predicted to contain a GTP binding domain. Yeast cells that contain the SR alpha gene (SRP101) under control of the GAL1 promoter show impaired translocation of soluble and membrane proteins across the ER membrane after depletion of SR alpha. The degree of the translocation defect varies for different proteins. The defects are similar to those observed in SRP deficient cells. Disruption of the SRP101 gene results in an approximately sixfold reduction in the growth rate of the cells. Disruption of the gene encoding SRP RNA (SCR1) or both SCR1 and SRP101 resulted in an indistinguishable growth phenotype, indicating that SRP receptor and SRP function in the same pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that the components and the mechanism of the SRP-dependent protein targeting pathway are evolutionarily conserved yet not essential for cell growth. Surprisingly, cells that are grown for a prolonged time in the absence of SRP or SRP receptor no longer show pronounced protein translocation defects. This adaptation is a physiological process and is not due to the accumulation of a suppressor mutation. The degree of this adaptation is strain dependent.

scholarly journals Discrete nascent chain lengths are required for the insertion of presecretory proteins into microsomal membranes.

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 1211-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Wolin ◽  
P Walter
Keyword(s):  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Translation Arrest ◽  
Nascent Chain ◽  
Microsomal Membranes ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Chain Lengths ◽  
Edta Extraction ◽  
Er Membrane

Ribosomes synthesizing nascent secretory proteins are targeted to the membrane by the signal recognition particle (SRP), a small ribonucleoprotein that binds to the signal peptide as it emerges from the ribosome. SRP arrests further elongation, causing ribosomes to stack behind the arrested ribosome. Upon interaction of SRP with its receptor on the ER membrane, the translation arrest is released and the ribosome becomes bound to the ER membrane. We have examined the distribution of unattached and membrane-bound ribosomes during the translation of mRNAs encoding two secretory proteins, bovine preprolactin and rat preproinsulin I. We find that the enhancement of ribosome stacking that occurs when SRP arrests translation of these proteins is relaxed in the presence of microsomal membranes. We also demonstrate that two previously described populations of membrane-associated ribosomes, distinguished by their sensitivity to high salt or EDTA extraction, correspond to ribosomes that have synthesized differing lengths of the nascent polypeptide. This analysis has revealed that nascent chain insertion into the membrane begins at distinct points for different presecretory proteins.

scholarly journals Elongation arrest is not a prerequisite for secretory protein translocation across the microsomal membrane.

1985 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 1913-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Siegel ◽  
P Walter
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Integral Membrane Protein ◽  
Secretory Protein ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
7Sl Rna ◽  
Nascent Chain ◽  
Specific Proteins

Signal recognition particle (SRP) is a ribonucleoprotein consisting of six distinct polypeptides and one molecule of small cytoplasmic 7SL RNA. It was previously shown to promote the co-translational translocation of secretory proteins across the endoplasmic reticulum by (a) arresting the elongation of the presecretory nascent chain at a specific point, and (b) interacting with the SRP receptor, an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum which is active in releasing the elongation arrest. Recently a procedure was designed by which the particle could be disassembled into its protein and RNA components. We have further separated the SRP proteins into four homogeneous fractions. When recombined with each other and with 7SL RNA, they formed fully active SRP. Particles missing specific proteins were assembled in the hope that some of these would retain some functional activity. SRP(-9/14), the particle lacking the 9-kD and 14-kD polypeptides, was fully active in promoting translocation, but was completely inactive in elongation arrest. This implied that elongation arrest is not a prerequisite for protein translocation. SRP receptor was required for SRP(-9/14)-mediated translocation to occur, and thus must play some role in the translocation process in addition to releasing the elongation arrest.

SRP RNA Remodeling by SRP68 Explains Its Role in Protein Translocation

Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 344 (6179) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Timo Grotwinkel ◽  
Klemens Wild ◽  
Bernd Segnitz ◽  
Irmgard Sinning
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Rna Remodeling ◽  
Srp Rna ◽  
Arginine Rich Motif

The signal recognition particle (SRP) is central to membrane protein targeting; SRP RNA is essential for SRP assembly, elongation arrest, and activation of SRP guanosine triphosphatases. In eukaryotes, SRP function relies on the SRP68-SRP72 heterodimer. We present the crystal structures of the RNA-binding domain of SRP68 (SRP68-RBD) alone and in complex with SRP RNA and SRP19. SRP68-RBD is a tetratricopeptide-like module that binds to a RNA three-way junction, bends the RNA, and inserts an α-helical arginine-rich motif (ARM) into the major groove. The ARM opens the conserved 5f RNA loop, which in ribosome-bound SRP establishes a contact to ribosomal RNA. Our data provide the structural basis for eukaryote-specific, SRP68-driven RNA remodeling required for protein translocation.

scholarly journals Real-time observation of signal recognition particle binding to actively translating ribosomes

eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R Noriega ◽  
Jin Chen ◽  
Peter Walter ◽  
Joseph D Puglisi
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Fluorescence Measurements ◽  
Nascent Chain ◽  
Time Observation

The signal recognition particle (SRP) directs translating ribosome-nascent chain complexes (RNCs) that display a signal sequence to protein translocation channels in target membranes. All previous work on the initial step of the targeting reaction, when SRP binds to RNCs, used stalled and non-translating RNCs. This meant that an important dimension of the co-translational process remained unstudied. We apply single-molecule fluorescence measurements to observe directly and in real-time E. coli SRP binding to actively translating RNCs. We show at physiologically relevant SRP concentrations that SRP-RNC association and dissociation rates depend on nascent chain length and the exposure of a functional signal sequence outside the ribosome. Our results resolve a long-standing question: how can a limited, sub-stoichiometric pool of cellular SRP effectively distinguish RNCs displaying a signal sequence from those that are not? The answer is strikingly simple: as originally proposed, SRP only stably engages translating RNCs exposing a functional signal sequence.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Translocase and Integrase Functions of the Escherichia coli Secyeg Translocon

2000 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 689-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Georg Koch ◽  
Matthias Müller
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Protein Delivery ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Independent Protein

Recent evidence suggests that in Escherichia coli, SecA/SecB and signal recognition particle (SRP) are constituents of two different pathways targeting secretory and inner membrane proteins to the SecYEG translocon of the plasma membrane. We now show that a secY mutation, which compromises a functional SecY–SecA interaction, does not impair the SRP-mediated integration of polytopic inner membrane proteins. Furthermore, under conditions in which the translocation of secretory proteins is strictly dependent on SecG for assisting SecA, the absence of SecG still allows polytopic membrane proteins to integrate at the wild-type level. These results indicate that SRP-dependent integration and SecA/SecB-mediated translocation do not only represent two independent protein delivery systems, but also remain mechanistically distinct processes even at the level of the membrane where they engage different domains of SecY and different components of the translocon. In addition, the experimental setup used here enabled us to demonstrate that SRP-dependent integration of a multispanning protein into membrane vesicles leads to a biologically active enzyme.

scholarly journals In Vivo Analysis of an Essential Archaeal Signal Recognition Particle in Its Native Host

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (12) ◽  
pp. 3260-3267 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wesley Rose ◽  
Mechthild Pohlschröder
Keyword(s):  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Protein Insertion ◽  
Native Host

ABSTRACT The evolutionarily conserved signal recognition particle (SRP) plays an integral role in Sec-mediated cotranslational protein translocation and membrane protein insertion, as it has been shown to target nascent secretory and membrane proteins to the bacterial and eukaryotic translocation pores. However, little is known about its function in archaea, since characterization of the SRP in this domain of life has thus far been limited to in vitro reconstitution studies of heterologously expressed archaeal SRP components identified by sequence comparisons. In the present study, the genes encoding the SRP54, SRP19, and 7S RNA homologs (hv54h, hv19h, and hv7Sh, respectively) of the genetically and biochemically tractable archaeon Haloferax volcanii were cloned, providing the tools to analyze the SRP in its native host. As part of this analysis, an hv54h knockout strain was created. In vivo characterization of this strain revealed that the archaeal SRP is required for viability, suggesting that cotranslational protein translocation is an essential process in archaea. Furthermore, a method for the purification of this SRP employing nickel chromatography was developed in H. volcanii, allowing the successful copurification of (i) Hv7Sh with a histidine-tagged Hv54h, as well as (ii) Hv54h and Hv7Sh with a histidine-tagged Hv19h. These results provide the first in vivo evidence that these components interact in archaea. Such copurification studies will provide insight into the significance of the similarities and differences of the protein-targeting systems of the three domains of life, thereby increasing knowledge about the recognition of translocated proteins in general.

scholarly journals GTPase domain of the 54-kD subunit of the mammalian signal recognition particle is required for protein translocation but not for signal sequence binding.

1993 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 1113-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zopf ◽  
H D Bernstein ◽  
P Walter
Keyword(s):  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Intact Protein ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Signal Sequences ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Sequence Recognition ◽  
Amino Terminal Domain

The 54-kD subunit of the signal recognition particle (SRP54) binds to signal sequences of nascent secretory and transmembrane proteins. SRP54 consists of two separable domains, a 33-kD amino-terminal domain that contains a GTP-binding site (SRP54G) and a 22-kD carboxy-terminal domain (SRP54M) containing binding sites for both the signal sequence and SRP RNA. To examine the function of the two domains in more detail, we have purified SRP54M and used it to assemble a partial SRP that lacks the amino-terminal domain of SRP54 [SRP(-54G)]. This particle recognized signal sequences in two independent assays, albeit less efficiently than intact SRP. Analysis of the signal sequence binding activity of free SRP54 and SRP54M supports the conclusion that SRP54M binds signal sequences with lower affinity than the intact protein. In contrast, when SRP(-54G) was assayed for its ability to promote the translocation of preprolactin across microsomal membranes, it was completely inactive, apparently because it was unable to interact normally with the SRP receptor. These results imply that SRP54G plays an essential role in SRP-mediated targeting of nascent chain-ribosome complexes to the ER membrane and also influences signal sequence recognition, possibly by promoting a tighter association between signal sequences and SRP54M.

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