scholarly journals The Structure of Escherichia coli Signal Recognition Particle Revealed by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 5063-5074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain L. Mainprize ◽  
Daniel R. Beniac ◽  
Elena Falkovskaia ◽  
Robert M. Cleverley ◽  
Lila M. Gierasch ◽  
...  

Structural studies on various domains of the ribonucleoprotein signal recognition particle (SRP) have not converged on a single complete structure of bacterial SRP consistent with the biochemistry of the particle. We obtained a three-dimensional structure for Escherichia coli SRP by cryoscanning transmission electron microscopy and mapped the internal RNA by electron spectroscopic imaging. Crystallographic data were fit into the SRP reconstruction, and although the resulting model differed from previous models, they could be rationalized by movement through an interdomain linker of Ffh, the protein component of SRP. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments determined interdomain distances that were consistent with our model of SRP. Docking our model onto the bacterial ribosome suggests a mechanism for signal recognition involving interdomain movement of Ffh into and out of the nascent chain exit site and suggests how SRP could interact and/or compete with the ribosome-bound chaperone, trigger factor, for a nascent chain during translation.

2003 ◽  
Vol 161 (4) ◽  
pp. 679-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald S. Ullers ◽  
Edith N.G. Houben ◽  
Amanda Raine ◽  
Corinne M. ten Hagen-Jongman ◽  
Måns Ehrenberg ◽  
...  

As newly synthesized polypeptides emerge from the ribosome, they interact with chaperones and targeting factors that assist in folding and targeting to the proper location in the cell. In Escherichia coli, the chaperone trigger factor (TF) binds to nascent polypeptides early in biosynthesis facilitated by its affinity for the ribosomal proteins L23 and L29 that are situated around the nascent chain exit site on the ribosome. The targeting factor signal recognition particle (SRP) interacts specifically with the signal anchor (SA) sequence in nascent inner membrane proteins (IMPs). Here, we have used photocross-linking to map interactions of the SA sequence in a short, in vitro–synthesized, nascent IMP. Both TF and SRP were found to interact with the SA with partially overlapping binding specificity. In addition, extensive contacts with L23 and L29 were detected. Both purified TF and SRP could be cross-linked to L23 on nontranslating ribosomes with a competitive advantage for SRP. The results suggest a role for L23 in the targeting of IMPs as an attachment site for TF and SRP that is close to the emerging nascent chain.


2003 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gottfried Eisner ◽  
Hans-Georg Koch ◽  
Konstanze Beck ◽  
Joseph Brunner ◽  
Matthias Müller

We have systematically analyzed the molecular environment of the signal sequence of a growing secretory protein from Escherichia coli using a stage- and site-specific cross-linking approach. Immediately after emerging from the ribosome, the signal sequence of pOmpA is accessible to Ffh, the protein component of the bacterial signal recognition particle, and to SecA, but it remains attached to the surface of the ribosome via protein L23. These contacts are lost upon further growth of the nascent chain, which brings the signal sequence into sole proximity to the chaperone Trigger factor (TF). In its absence, nascent pOmpA shows extended contacts with L23, and even long chains interact in these conditions proficiently with Ffh. Our results suggest that upon emergence from the ribosome, the signal sequence of an E. coli secretory protein gradually becomes sequestered by TF. Although TF thereby might control the accessibility of pOmpA's signal sequence to Ffh and SecA, it does not influence interaction of pOmpA with SecB.


1978 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 369-392
Author(s):  
J.A. Trotter ◽  
B.A. Foerder ◽  
J.M. Keller

The 3-dimensional structure of the fibrous cytoskeleton of 3T3 cells was examined by scanning electron microscopy of cells extracted with the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100. Detergent-extracted cells consist of the nucleus and an extensive system of fibres, the largest of which correspond to stress fibres visible by phase-contrast microscopy. The system of fibres, which is coterminous with the borders of the native cell, remains firmly adherent to the substratum. The major fibres branch into smaller fibrils which appear to end by ravelling out into fine filaments that constitute a matted network in a plane very close to that of the substratum. In the nuclear region all the major fibres pass over the top of the nucleus, where they may also branch into a system of fine fibrils. Thin-section transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with heavy meromyosin treatment of extracted cells shows the fibres to be composed of native F-actin. Intermediate filaments are also present, and are prominent in the matted network, together with actin filaments. The major proteins of the residue are identified by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as actin, a 56000 Dalton peptide, and histones. Also present are myosin heavy chain, peptides of 225,000 and 250,000, and minor bands at 60,000 and 94,000 Daltons. The non-ionic detergent extracts 70% of the cellular protein, including 50% of the actin and 75% of the myosin. The Triton-insoluble fraction of 3T3 cells appears to constitute, in addition to the nucleus, a stable cytoskeletal system, composed largely of contractile proteins and 10-nm filaments, which functions in maintenance of cell shape, in substratum adhesion, and in positioning the nucleus within the cell.


2015 ◽  
Vol 211 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Kuhn ◽  
Albena Draycheva ◽  
Andreas Vogt ◽  
Narcis-Adrian Petriman ◽  
Lukas Sturm ◽  
...  

Cotranslational protein targeting delivers proteins to the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane or to the eukaryotic endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The signal recognition particle (SRP) binds to signal sequences emerging from the ribosomal tunnel and targets the ribosome-nascent-chain complex (RNC) to the SRP receptor, termed FtsY in bacteria. FtsY interacts with the fifth cytosolic loop of SecY in the SecYEG translocon, but the functional role of the interaction is unclear. By using photo-cross-linking and fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements, we show that FtsY–SecY complex formation is guanosine triphosphate independent but requires a phospholipid environment. Binding of an SRP–RNC complex exposing a hydrophobic transmembrane segment induces a rearrangement of the SecY–FtsY complex, which allows the subsequent contact between SecY and ribosomal protein uL23. These results suggest that direct RNC transfer to the translocon is guided by the interaction between SRP and translocon-bound FtsY in a quaternary targeting complex.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristian Frank ◽  
Andre Wichmann ◽  
Arne Wittstock ◽  
Marcus Bäumer ◽  
Lutz Mädler ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTNanoporous gold is a material with many possible applications e.g. in catalysts, sensors and electrode materials. We studied the functionalization of the nanoporous gold with TiO2 particles. Aiming at the low temperature oxidation of CO, the nanoporous gold can be coated with TiO2 in order to enhance catalytic activity. Structure and distribution of the TiO2 on the gold surface are important structural features, which were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The preparation of the porous gold was tested with focused ion beam - preparation, conventional Ar+ ion beam preparation of nanoporous gold embedded in epoxy and ultramicrotome preparation of nanoporous gold embedded in epoxy. Considering the beam damage on the structure and the contamination of the surface, ultramicrotome preparation turned out to be the best solution. It was shown, that the gold ligaments are abundantly covered by approximately 5 nm TiO2 particles. The determination of the largest lattice fringe distance in high resolution mode revealed that the crystalline nanoparticles consist of the anatase phase. The spatial Ti distribution was measured with energy filtered transmission electron microscopy. Scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography was applied to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of the gold coated with TiO2 particles.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document