scholarly journals SecA Dimer Cross-Linked at Its Subunit Interface Is Functional for Protein Translocation

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 335-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia B. Jilaveanu ◽  
Donald Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Subunit Interface ◽  
Cargo Proteins ◽  
Considerable Controversy ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Vitro Protein

ABSTRACT SecA facilitates protein transport across the eubacterial plasma membrane by its association with cargo proteins and the SecYEG translocon, followed by ATP-driven conformational changes that promote protein translocation in a stepwise manner. Whether SecA functions as a monomer or a dimer during this process has been the subject of considerable controversy. Here we utilize cysteine-directed mutagenesis along with the crystal structure of the SecA dimer to create a cross-linked dimer at its subunit interface, which was normally active for in vitro protein translocation.

scholarly journals Substrate Proteins Take Shape at an Improved Bacterial Translocon

2018 ◽  
Vol 201 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Protein Transport ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Transport Models ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Substrate Proteins

ABSTRACTCharacterization of Sec-dependent bacterial protein transport has often relied on anin vitroprotein translocation system comprised in part ofEscherichia coliinverted inner membrane vesicles or, more recently, purified SecYEG translocons reconstituted into liposomes using mostly a single substrate (proOmpA). A paper published in this issue (P. Bariya and L. Randall, J Bacteriol 201:e00493-18, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00493-18) finds that inclusion of SecA protein during SecYEG proteoliposome reconstitution dramatically improves the number of active translocons. This experimentally useful and intriguing result that may arise from SecA membrane integration properties is discussed here. Furthermore, determination of the rate-limiting transport step for nine different substrates implicates the mature region distal to the signal peptide in the observed rate constant differences, indicating that more nuanced transport models that respond to differences in protein sequence and structure are needed.

scholarly journals An in vitro vesicle formation assay reveals cargo clients and factors that mediate vesicular trafficking

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (35) ◽  
pp. e2101287118
Author(s):  
Yan Huang ◽  
Haidi Yin ◽  
Baiying Li ◽  
Qian Wu ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Vesicular Trafficking ◽  
Vesicle Formation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Vitro Assay ◽  
Cargo Proteins ◽  
Er Exit Sites

The fidelity of protein transport in the secretory pathway relies on the accurate sorting of proteins to their correct destinations. To deepen our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, it is important to develop a robust approach to systematically reveal cargo proteins that depend on specific sorting machinery to be enriched into transport vesicles. Here, we used an in vitro assay that reconstitutes packaging of human cargo proteins into vesicles to quantify cargo capture. Quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) analyses of the isolated vesicles revealed cytosolic proteins that are associated with vesicle membranes in a GTP-dependent manner. We found that two of them, FAM84B (also known as LRAT domain containing 2 or LRATD2) and PRRC1, contain proline-rich domains and regulate anterograde trafficking. Further analyses revealed that PRRC1 is recruited to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites, interacts with the inner COPII coat, and its absence increases membrane association of COPII. In addition, we uncovered cargo proteins that depend on GTP hydrolysis to be captured into vesicles. Comparing control cells with cells depleted of the cargo receptors, SURF4 or ERGIC53, we revealed specific clients of each of these two export adaptors. Our results indicate that the vesicle formation assay in combination with quantitative MS analysis is a robust and powerful tool to uncover novel factors that mediate vesicular trafficking and to uncover cargo clients of specific cellular factors.

scholarly journals Conformational changes in the GTPase modules of the signal reception particle and its receptor drive initiation of protein translocation

2007 ◽  
Vol 178 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-ou Shan ◽  
Sowmya Chandrasekar ◽  
Peter Walter
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Signal Recognition ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Translocation Efficiency ◽  
Cargo Proteins ◽  
Gtpase Activation ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase

During cotranslational protein targeting, two guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) in the signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor (SR) form a unique complex in which hydrolyses of both guanosine triphosphates (GTP) are activated in a shared active site. It was thought that GTP hydrolysis drives the recycling of SRP and SR, but is not crucial for protein targeting. Here, we examined the translocation efficiency of mutant GTPases that block the interaction between SRP and SR at specific stages. Surprisingly, mutants that allow SRP–SR complex assembly but block GTPase activation severely compromise protein translocation. These mutations map to the highly conserved insertion box domain loops that rearrange upon complex formation to form multiple catalytic interactions with the two GTPs. Thus, although GTP hydrolysis is not required, the molecular rearrangements that lead to GTPase activation are essential for protein targeting. Most importantly, our results show that an elaborate rearrangement within the SRP–SR GTPase complex is required to drive the unloading and initiate translocation of cargo proteins.

scholarly journals A High-Resolution Luminescent Assay for Rapid and Continuous Monitoring of Protein Translocation Across Biological Membranes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonçalo C. Pereira ◽  
William J. Allen ◽  
Daniel W. Watkins ◽  
Lisa Buddrus ◽  
Dylan Noone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Resolution ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Kinetics Parameters ◽  
Luminescent Assay

ABSTRACTProtein translocation is a fundamental process in biology. Major gaps in our understanding of this process arises due the poor sensitivity, low time-resolution and irreproducibility of translocation assays. To address this, we applied NanoLuc split-luciferase to produce a new strategy for measuring protein transport. The system reduces the timescale of data collection from days to minutes, and allows continuous acquisition with a time-resolution in the order of seconds – yielding kinetics parameters suitable for mechanistic elucidation and mathematical fitting. To demonstrate its versatility, we implemented and validated the assay in vitro and in vivo for the bacterial Sec system, and the mitochondrial protein import apparatus. Overall, this technology represents a major step forward, providing a powerful new tool for fundamental mechanistic enquiry of protein translocation and for inhibitor (drug) screening, with an intensity and rigour unattainable through classical methods.

scholarly journals HDX-MS reveals nucleotide-regulated, anti-correlated opening and closure of SecA and SecY channels of the bacterial translocon

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainab Ahdash ◽  
Euan Pyle ◽  
William J. Allen ◽  
Robin A. Corey ◽  
Ian Collinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Brownian Ratchet ◽  
Exchange Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Dependent Transport ◽  
Hdx Ms

AbstractThe bacterial Sec translocon is a multi-component protein complex responsible for translocating diverse proteins across the plasma membrane. For post-translational protein translocation, the Sec-channel – SecYEG – associates with the motor protein SecA to mediate the ATP-dependent transport of unfolded pre-proteins across the membrane. Based on the structure of the machinery, combined with ensemble and single molecule analysis, a diffusional based Brownian ratchet mechanism for protein secretion has been proposed [Allen et al. eLife 2016;5:e15598]. However, the conformational dynamics required to facilitate this mechanism have not yet been fully resolved. Here, we employ hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to reveal striking nucleotide-dependent conformational changes in the Sec protein-channel. In addition to the ATP-dependent opening of SecY, reported previously, we observe a counteracting, also ATP-dependent, constriction of SecA around the mature regions of the pre-protein. Thus, ATP binding causes SecY to open and SecA to close, while ATP hydrolysis has the opposite effect. This alternating behaviour could help impose the directionality of the Brownian ratchet for protein transport through the Sec machinery, and possibly in translocation systems elsewhere. The results highlight the power of HDX-MS for interrogating the dynamic mechanisms of diverse membrane proteins; including their interactions with small molecules such as nucleotides (ATPases and GTPases) and inhibitors (e.g. antibiotics).

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