scholarly journals A gating motif in the translocation channel sets the hydrophobicity threshold for signal sequence function

2012 ◽  
Vol 199 (6) ◽  
pp. 907-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven F. Trueman ◽  
Elisabet C. Mandon ◽  
Reid Gilmore
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Structural Transition ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Critical Event ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Polar Amino Acid ◽  
Signal Sequences ◽  
Channel Opening

A critical event in protein translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum is the structural transition between the closed and open conformations of Sec61, the eukaryotic translocation channel. Channel opening allows signal sequence insertion into a gap between the N- and C-terminal halves of Sec61. We have identified a gating motif that regulates the transition between the closed and open channel conformations. Polar amino acid substitutions in the gating motif cause a gain-of-function phenotype that permits translocation of precursors with marginally hydrophobic signal sequences. In contrast, hydrophobic substitutions at certain residues in the gating motif cause a protein translocation defect. We conclude that the gating motif establishes the hydrophobicity threshold for functional insertion of a signal sequence into the Sec61 complex, thereby allowing the wild-type translocation channel to discriminate between authentic signal sequences and the less hydrophobic amino acid segments in cytosolic proteins. Bioinformatic analysis indicates that the gating motif is conserved between eubacterial and archaebacterial SecY and eukaryotic Sec61.

scholarly journals Translocation channel gating kinetics balances protein translocation efficiency with signal sequence recognition fidelity

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 2983-2993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven F. Trueman ◽  
Elisabet C. Mandon ◽  
Reid Gilmore
Keyword(s):  
Structural Transition ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Channel Gating ◽  
Critical Event ◽  
Protein Insertion ◽  
Sequence Recognition ◽  
Translocation Efficiency ◽  
Lateral Gate ◽  
Insight Into

The transition between the closed and open conformations of the Sec61 complex permits nascent protein insertion into the translocation channel. A critical event in this structural transition is the opening of the lateral translocon gate that is formed by four transmembrane (TM) spans (TM2, TM3, TM7, and TM8 in Sec61p) to expose the signal sequence–binding site. To gain mechanistic insight into lateral gate opening, mutations were introduced into a lumenal loop (L7) that connects TM7 and TM8. The sec61 L7 mutants were found to have defects in both the posttranslational and cotranslational translocation pathways due to a kinetic delay in channel gating. The translocation defect caused by L7 mutations could be suppressed by the prl class of sec61 alleles, which reduce the fidelity of signal sequence recognition. The prl mutants are proposed to act by destabilizing the closed conformation of the translocation channel. Our results indicate that the equilibrium between the open and closed conformations of the protein translocation channel maintains a balance between translocation activity and signal sequence recognition fidelity.

scholarly journals Signal sequence insufficiency contributes to neurodegeneration caused by transmembrane prion protein

2010 ◽  
Vol 188 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neena S. Rane ◽  
Oishee Chakrabarti ◽  
Lionel Feigenbaum ◽  
Ramanujan S. Hegde
Keyword(s):  
Prion Protein ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Signal Sequences ◽  
Hydrophobic Domain ◽  
Sequence Variations ◽  
Sufficient Magnitude ◽  
The Impact

Protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by signal sequences that vary widely in primary structure. In vitro studies suggest that such signal sequence variations may correspond to subtly different functional properties. Whether comparable functional differences exist in vivo and are of sufficient magnitude to impact organism physiology is unknown. Here, we investigate this issue by analyzing in transgenic mice the impact of signal sequence efficiency for mammalian prion protein (PrP). We find that replacement of the average efficiency signal sequence of PrP with more efficient signals rescues mice from neurodegeneration caused by otherwise pathogenic PrP mutants in a downstream hydrophobic domain (HD). This effect is explained by the demonstration that efficient signal sequence function precludes generation of a cytosolically exposed, disease-causing transmembrane form of PrP mediated by the HD mutants. Thus, signal sequences are functionally nonequivalent in vivo, with intrinsic inefficiency of the native PrP signal being required for pathogenesis of a subset of disease-causing PrP mutations.

scholarly journals Stage- and ribosome-specific alterations in nascent chain-Sec61p interactions accompany translocation across the ER membrane.

1995 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 957-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
C V Nicchitta ◽  
E C Murphy ◽  
R Haynes ◽  
G S Shelness
Keyword(s):  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Near Neighbor ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Dramatic Reduction ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Nascent Chain ◽  
Chemical Cross Linking ◽  
Er Membrane

Near-neighbor interactions between translocating nascent chains and Sec61p were investigated by chemical cross-linking. At stages of translocation before signal sequence cleavage, nascent chains could be cross-linked to Sec61p at high (60-80%) efficiencies. Cross-linking occurred through the signal sequence and the mature portion of wild-type and signal cleavage mutant nascent chains. At later stages of translocation, as represented through truncated translocation intermediates, cross-linking to Sec61p was markedly reduced. Dissociation of the ribosome into its large and small subunits after assembly of the precursor into the translocon, but before cross-linking, resulted in a dramatic reduction in subsequent cross-linking yield, indicating that at early stages of translocation, nascent chain-Sec61p interactions are in part mediated through interactions of the ribosome with components of the ER membrane, such as Sec61p. Dissociation of the ribosome was, however, without effect on subsequent translocation. These results are discussed with respect to a model in which Sec61p performs a function essential for the initiation of protein translocation.

scholarly journals Characterization of human torsinA and its dystonia-associated mutant form

2003 ◽  
Vol 374 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonghua LIU ◽  
Anna ZOLKIEWSKA ◽  
Michal ZOLKIEWSKI
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Membrane Association ◽  
S2 Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hydrophobic Region ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
Membrane Anchoring

Deletion of a single glutamate in torsinA correlates with early-onset dystonia, the most severe form of a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable muscle contractions. TorsinA is targeted to the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) in eukaryotic cells. We investigated the processing and membrane association of torsinA and the dystonia-associated Glu-deletion mutant (torsinAΔE). We found that the signal sequence of torsinA (residues 1–20 from the 40 amino-acid long N-terminal hydrophobic region) is cleaved in Drosophila S2 cells, as shown by the N-terminal sequencing after partial protein purification. TorsinA is not secreted from S2 cells. Consistently, sodium carbonate extraction and Triton X-114 treatment showed that torsinA is associated with the ER membrane in CHO (Chinese-hamster ovary) cells. In contrast, a variant of torsinA that contains the native signal sequence without the hydrophobic region Ile24–Pro40 does not associate with the membranes in CHO cells, and a truncated torsinA without the 40 N-terminal amino acids is secreted in the S2 culture. Thus the 20-amino-acid-long hydrophobic segment in torsinA, which remains at the N-terminus after signal-peptide cleavage, is responsible for the membrane anchoring of torsinA. TorsinAΔE showed similar cleavage of the 20 N-terminal amino acids and membrane association properties similar to wild-type torsinA but, unlike the wild-type, torsinAΔE was not secreted in the S2 culture even after deletion of the membrane-anchoring segment. This indicates that the dystonia-associated mutation produces a structurally distinct, possibly misfolded, form of torsinA, which cannot be properly processed in the secretory pathway of eukaryotic cells.

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.

Discovery of functional motifs in h-regions of trypanosome signal sequences

2010 ◽  
Vol 426 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh Duffy ◽  
Bhargavi Patham ◽  
Kojo Mensa-Wilmot
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Signal Peptides ◽  
Hydrophobic Core ◽  
Signal Sequences ◽  
Peptide Motifs ◽  
Physiological Relevance

N-terminal signal peptides direct secretory proteins into the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) of eukaryotes or the periplasmic space of prokaryotes. A hydrophobic core (h-region) is important for signal sequence function; however, the mechanism of h-region action is not resolved. To gain new insight into signal sequences, bioinformatic analysis of h-regions from humans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Trypanosoma brucei and Escherichia coli was performed. Each species contains a unique set of peptide motifs (h-motifs) characterized by identity components (i.e. sequence of conserved amino acids) joined by spacers. Human h-motifs have four identity components, whereas those from the other species utilize three identity components. Example of h-motifs are human Hs3 {L-x(2)-[AGILPV]-L-x(0,2)-L}, S. cerevisiae Sc1 [L-x(0,2)-S-x(0,3)-A], T. brucei Tb2 {L-x(1,2)-L-[AILV]} and E. coli Ec1 [A-x(0,2)-L-x(0,3)-A]. The physiological relevance of h-motifs was tested with a T. brucei microsomal system for translocation of a VSG (variant surface glycoprotein)-117 signal peptide. Disruption of h-motifs by scrambling of sequences in h-regions produced defective signal peptides, although the hydrophobicity of the peptide was not altered. We conclude that: (i) h-regions harbour h-motifs, and are not random hydrophobic amino acids; (ii) h-regions from different species contain unique sets of h-motifs; and (iii) h-motifs contribute to the biological activity of ER signal peptides. h-Regions are ‘scaffolds’ in which functional h-motifs are embedded. A hypothetical model for h-motif interactions with a Sec61p protein translocon is presented.

Strand breaks without DNA rearrangement in V (D)J recombination

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 3155-3162
Author(s):  
E A Hendrickson ◽  
V F Liu ◽  
D T Weaver
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Retroviral Vectors ◽  
Sequence Motifs ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Severe Combined Immune Deficiency ◽  
Signal Sequences ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Recombination Pathway

Somatic gene rearrangement of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes [V(D)J recombination] is mediated by pairs of specific DNA sequence motifs termed signal sequences. In experiments described here, retroviral vectors containing V(D)J rearrangement cassettes in which the signal sequences had been altered were introduced into wild-type and scid (severe combined immune deficiency) pre-B cells and used to define intermediates in the V(D)J recombination pathway. The scid mutation has previously been shown to deleteriously affect the V(D)J recombination process. Cassettes containing a point mutation in one of the two signal sequences inhibited rearrangement in wild-type cells. In contrast, scid cells continued to rearrange these cassettes with the characteristic scid deletional phenotype. Using these mutated templates, we identified junctional modifications at the wild-type signal sequences that had arisen from strand breaks which were not associated with overall V(D)J rearrangements. Neither cell type was able to rearrange constructs which contained only a single, nonmutated, signal sequence. In addition, scid and wild-type cell lines harboring cassettes with mutations in both signal sequences did not undergo rearrangement, suggesting that at least one functional signal sequence was required for all types of V(D)J recombination events. Analysis of these signal sequence mutations has provided insights into intermediates in the V(D)J rearrangement pathway in wild-type and scid pre-B cells.

scholarly journals Role of the human transferrin receptor cytoplasmic domain in endocytosis: localization of a specific signal sequence for internalization.

1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Q Jing ◽  
T Spencer ◽  
K Miller ◽  
C Hopkins ◽  
I S Trowbridge
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Transferrin Receptor ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Cytoplasmic Domain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Human Transferrin ◽  
Amino Acid Region ◽  
Human Transferrin Receptor ◽  
Mutant Receptors

Wild-type and mutant human transferrin receptors have been expressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts using a helper-independent retroviral vector. The internalization of mutant human transferrin receptors, in which all but four of the 61 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain had been deleted, was greatly impaired. However, when expressed at high levels, such "tailless" mutant receptors could provide chicken embryo fibroblasts with sufficient iron from diferric human transferrin to support a normal rate of growth. As the rate of recycling of the mutant receptors was not significantly different from wild-type receptors, an estimate of relative internalization rates could be obtained from the distribution of receptors inside the cell and on the cell surface under steady-state conditions. This analysis and the results of iron uptake studies both indicate that the efficiency of internalization of tailless mutant receptors is approximately 10% that of wild-type receptors. Further studies of a series of mutant receptors with different regions of the cytoplasmic domain deleted suggested that residues within a 10-amino acid region (amino acids 19-28) of the human transferrin receptor cytoplasmic domain are required for efficient endocytosis. Insertion of this region into the cytoplasmic domain of the tailless mutant receptors restored high efficiency endocytosis. The only tyrosine residue (Tyr 20) in the cytoplasmic domain of the human transferrin receptor is found within this 10-amino acid region. A mutant receptor containing glycine instead of tyrosine at position 20 was estimated to be approximately 20% as active as the wild-type receptor. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain of the transferrin receptor contains a specific signal sequence located within amino acid residues 19-28 that determines high efficiency endocytosis. Further, Tyr 20 is an important element of that sequence.

scholarly journals SEC62 encodes a putative membrane protein required for protein translocation into the yeast endoplasmic reticulum.

1989 ◽  
Vol 109 (6) ◽  
pp. 2653-2664 ◽  
Author(s):  
R J Deshaies ◽  
R Schekman
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Alpha Helix ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cytosol Fraction ◽  
Arginine Residues ◽  
Mutant Cells

Yeast sec62 mutant cells are defective in the translocation of several secretory precursor proteins into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (Rothblatt et al., 1989). The deficiency, which is most restrictive for alpha-factor precursor (pp alpha F) and preprocarboxypeptidase Y, has been reproduced in vitro. Membranes isolated from mutant cells display low and labile translocation activity with pp alpha F translated in a wild-type cytosol fraction. The defect is unique to the membrane fraction because cytosol from mutant cells supports translocation into membranes from wild-type yeast. Invertase assembly is only partly affected by the sec62 mutation in vivo and is nearly normal with mutant membranes in vitro. A potential membrane location for the SEC62 gene product is supported by evaluation of the molecular clone. DNA sequence analysis reveals a 32-kD protein with no obvious NH2-terminal signal sequence but with two domains of sufficient length and hydrophobicity to span a lipid bilayer. Sec62p is predicted to display significant NH2- and COOH-terminal hydrophilic domains on the cytoplasmic surface of the ER membrane. The last 30 amino acids of the COOH terminus may form an alpha-helix with 14 lysine and arginine residues arranged uniformly about the helix. This domain may allow Sec62p to interact with other proteins of the putative translocation complex.

scholarly journals Modeling the Effects of prl Mutations on the Escherichia coli SecY Complex

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (18) ◽  
pp. 6454-6465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Smith ◽  
William M. Clemons ◽  
Cathrine J. DeMars ◽  
Ann M. Flower
Keyword(s):  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Novel Mutations ◽  
Suppressor Activity ◽  
Bacterial Membranes ◽  
Type Complex ◽  
Channel Opening ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
New Alleles

ABSTRACT The apparatus responsible for translocation of proteins across bacterial membranes is the conserved SecY complex, consisting of SecY, SecE, and SecG. Prior genetic analysis provided insight into the mechanisms of protein export, as well as the interactions between the component proteins. In particular, the prl suppressor alleles of secE and secY, which allow export of secretory proteins with defective signal sequences, have proven particularly useful. Here, we report the isolation of novel mutations in secE and secY, as well as the phenotypic effects of combinations of prl mutations. These new alleles, as well as previously characterized prl mutations, were analyzed in light of the recently published crystal structure of the archaeal SecY complex. Our results support and expand a model of Prl suppressor activity that proposes that all of the prlA and prlG alleles either destabilize the closed state of the channel or stabilize the open form. These mutants thus allow channel opening to occur without the triggering event of signal sequence binding that is required in a wild-type complex.

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