scholarly journals Molecular Mimicry of SecA and Signal Recognition Particle Binding to the Bacterial Ribosome

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Knüpffer ◽  
Clara Fehrenbach ◽  
Kärt Denks ◽  
Veronika Erichsen ◽  
Narcis-Adrian Petriman ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Bacteria execute a variety of protein transport systems for maintaining the proper composition of their different cellular compartments. The SecYEG translocon serves as primary transport channel and is engaged in transporting two different substrate types. Inner membrane proteins are cotranslationally inserted into the membrane after their targeting by the signal recognition particle (SRP). In contrast, secretory proteins are posttranslationally translocated by the ATPase SecA. Recent data indicate that SecA can also bind to ribosomes close to the tunnel exit. We have mapped the interaction of SecA with translating and nontranslating ribosomes and demonstrate that the N terminus and the helical linker domain of SecA bind to an acidic patch on the surface of the ribosomal protein uL23. Intriguingly, both also insert deeply into the ribosomal tunnel to contact the intratunnel loop of uL23, which serves as a nascent chain sensor. This binding pattern is remarkably similar to that of SRP and indicates an identical interaction mode of the two targeting factors with ribosomes. In the presence of a nascent chain, SecA retracts from the tunnel but maintains contact with the surface of uL23. Our data further demonstrate that ribosome and membrane binding of SecA are mutually exclusive, as both events depend on the N terminus of SecA. Our study highlights the enormous plasticity of bacterial protein transport systems and reveals that the discrimination between SRP and SecA substrates is already initiated at the ribosome. IMPORTANCE Bacterial protein transport via the conserved SecYEG translocon is generally classified as either cotranslational, i.e., when transport is coupled to translation, or posttranslational, when translation and transport are separated. We show here that the ATPase SecA, which is considered to bind its substrates posttranslationally, already scans the ribosomal tunnel for potential substrates. In the presence of a nascent chain, SecA retracts from the tunnel but maintains contact with the ribosomal surface. This is remarkably similar to the ribosome-binding mode of the signal recognition particle, which mediates cotranslational transport. Our data reveal a striking plasticity of protein transport pathways, which likely enable bacteria to efficiently recognize and transport a large number of highly different substrates within their short generation time.

2005 ◽  
Vol 170 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith N.G. Houben ◽  
Raz Zarivach ◽  
Bauke Oudega ◽  
Joen Luirink

An unbiased photo–cross-linking approach was used to probe the “molecular path” of a growing nascent Escherichia coli inner membrane protein (IMP) from the peptidyl transferase center to the surface of the ribosome. The nascent chain was initially in proximity to the ribosomal proteins L4 and L22 and subsequently contacted L23, which is indicative of progression through the ribosome via the main ribosomal tunnel. The signal recognition particle (SRP) started to interact with the nascent IMP and to target the ribosome–nascent chain complex to the Sec–YidC complex in the inner membrane when maximally half of the transmembrane domain (TM) was exposed from the ribosomal exit. The combined data suggest a flexible tunnel that may accommodate partially folded nascent proteins and parts of the SRP and SecY. Intraribosomal contacts of the nascent chain were not influenced by the presence of a functional TM in the ribosome.


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.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (16) ◽  
pp. 3027-3040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Uta Berndt ◽  
Hanna Gölz ◽  
Arlette Tais ◽  
Stefan Oellerer ◽  
...  

Nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) was initially found to bind to any segment of the nascent chain except signal sequences. In this way, NAC is believed to prevent mistargeting due to binding of signal recognition particle (SRP) to signalless ribosome nascent chain complexes (RNCs). Here we revisit the interplay between NAC and SRP. NAC does not affect SRP function with respect to signalless RNCs; however, NAC does affect SRP function with respect to RNCs targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). First, early recruitment of SRP to RNCs containing a signal sequence within the ribosomal tunnel is NAC dependent. Second, NAC is able to directly and tightly bind to nascent signal sequences. Third, SRP initially displaces NAC from RNCs; however, when the signal sequence emerges further, trimeric NAC·RNC·SRP complexes form. Fourth, upon docking to the ER membrane NAC remains bound to RNCs, allowing NAC to shield cytosolically exposed nascent chain domains not only before but also during cotranslational translocation. The combined data indicate a functional interplay between NAC and SRP on ER-targeted RNCs, which is based on the ability of the two complexes to bind simultaneously to distinct segments of a single nascent chain.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Welte ◽  
Renuka Kudva ◽  
Patrick Kuhn ◽  
Lukas Sturm ◽  
David Braig ◽  
...  

Protein insertion into the bacterial inner membrane is facilitated by SecYEG or YidC. Although SecYEG most likely constitutes the major integration site, small membrane proteins have been shown to integrate via YidC. We show that YidC can also integrate multispanning membrane proteins such as mannitol permease or TatC, which had been considered to be exclusively integrated by SecYEG. Only SecA-dependent multispanning membrane proteins strictly require SecYEG for integration, which suggests that SecA can only interact with the SecYEG translocon, but not with the YidC insertase. Targeting of multispanning membrane proteins to YidC is mediated by signal recognition particle (SRP), and we show by site-directed cross-linking that the C-terminus of YidC is in contact with SRP, the SRP receptor, and ribosomal proteins. These findings indicate that SRP recognizes membrane proteins independent of the downstream integration site and that many membrane proteins can probably use either SecYEG or YidC for integration. Because protein synthesis is much slower than protein transport, the use of YidC as an additional integration site for multispanning membrane proteins may prevent a situation in which the majority of SecYEG complexes are occupied by translating ribosomes during cotranslational insertion, impeding the translocation of secretory proteins.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 190773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Sanguinetti ◽  
Andrés Iriarte ◽  
Sotiris Amillis ◽  
Mónica Marín ◽  
Héctor Musto ◽  
...  

In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, synonymous codons are unevenly used. Such differential usage of optimal or non-optimal codons has been suggested to play a role in the control of translation initiation and elongation, as well as at the level of transcription and mRNA stability. In the case of membrane proteins, codon usage has been proposed to assist in the establishment of a pause necessary for the correct targeting of the nascent chains to the translocon. By using as a model UreA, the Aspergillus nidulans urea transporter, we revealed that a pair of non-optimal codons encoding amino acids situated at the boundary between the N -terminus and the first transmembrane segment are necessary for proper biogenesis of the protein at 37°C. These codons presumably regulate the translation rate in a previously undescribed fashion, possibly contributing to the correct interaction of ureA -translating ribosome-nascent chain complexes with the signal recognition particle and/or other factors, while the polypeptide has not yet emerged from the ribosomal tunnel. Our results suggest that the presence of the pair of non-optimal codons would not be functionally important in all cellular conditions. Whether this mechanism would affect other proteins remains to be determined.


1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 1211-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Wolin ◽  
P Walter

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.


1985 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 1913-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Siegel ◽  
P Walter

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.


2005 ◽  
Vol 168 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Colombo ◽  
Renato Longhi ◽  
Stefano Alcaro ◽  
Francesco Ortuso ◽  
Teresa Sprocati ◽  
...  

Mammalian NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductase (b5R) is an N-myristoylated protein that is dually targeted to ER and mitochondrial outer membranes. The N-linked myristate is not required for anchorage to membranes because a stretch of hydrophobic amino acids close to the NH2 terminus guarantees a tight interaction of the protein with the phospholipid bilayer. Instead, the fatty acid is required for targeting of b5R to mitochondria because a nonmyristoylated mutant is exclusively localized to the ER. Here, we have investigated the mechanism by which N-linked myristate affects b5R targeting. We find that myristoylation interferes with interaction of the nascent chain with signal recognition particle, so that a portion of the nascent chains escapes from cotranslational integration into the ER and can be post-translationally targeted to the mitochondrial outer membrane. Thus, competition between two cotranslational events, binding of signal recognition particle and modification by N-myristoylation, determines the site of translation and the localization of b5R.


eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R Noriega ◽  
Jin Chen ◽  
Peter Walter ◽  
Joseph D Puglisi

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.


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