Biomedical subjects

Thomas Brüser

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Brüser.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

DnaK plays a pivotal role in Tat targeting of CueO and functions beside SlyD as a general Tat signal binding chaperone.

The Tat (twin-arginine translocation) system from Escherichia coli transports folded proteins with N-terminal twin-arginine signal peptides across the cytoplasmic membrane. The influence of general chaperones on Tat substrate targeting has not been clarified so far. Here we show that the chaperones SlyD and DnaK bind to a broad range of different Tat signal sequences in vitro and in vivo. Initially, SlyD and GroEL were purified from DnaK-deficient extracts by their affinity to various Tat signal sequences. Of these, only SlyD bound Tat signal sequences also in the presence of DnaK. SlyD and DnaK also co-purified with Tat substrate precursors, demonstrating the binding to Tat signal sequences in vivo. Deletion of dnaK completely abolished Tat-dependent translocation of CueO, but not of DmsA, YcdB, or HiPIP, indicating that DnaK has an essential role specifically for CueO. DnaK was not required for stability of the CueO precursor and thus served in some essential step after folding. A CueO signal sequence fusion to HiPIP was Tat-dependently transported without the need of DnaK, indicating that the mature domain of CueO is responsible for the DnaK dependence. The overall results suggest that SlyD and DnaK are in the set of chaperones that can serve as general Tat signal-binding proteins. DnaK has additional functions that are indispensable for the targeting of CueO.

Chaperonin 60↗

PubMed2006

Conservation and variation between Rhodobacter capsulatus and Escherichia coli Tat systems.

The Tat system allows the translocation of folded and often cofactor-containing proteins across biological membranes. Here, we show by an interspecies transfer of a complete Tat translocon that Tat systems are largely, but not fully, interchangeable even between different classes of proteobacteria. The Tat apparatus from the alpha-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus was transferred to a Tat-deficient Escherichia coli strain, which is a gamma-proteobacterium. Similar to that of E. coli, the R. capsulatus Tat system consists of three components, rc-TatA, rc-TatB, and rc-TatC. A fourth gene (rc-tatF) is present in the rc-tatABCF operon which has no apparent relevance for translocation. The translational starts of rc-tatC and rc-tatF overlap in four nucleotides (ATGA) with the preceding tat genes, pointing to efficient translational coupling of rc-tatB, rc-tatC, and rc-tatF. We show by a variety of physiological and biochemical assays that the R. capsulatus Tat system functionally targets the E. coli Tat substrates TorA, AmiA, AmiC, and formate dehydrogenase. Even a Tat substrate from a third organism is accepted, demonstrating that usually Tat systems and Tat substrates from different proteobacteria are compatible with each other. Only one exceptional Tat substrate of E. coli, a membrane-anchored dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reductase, was not targeted by the R. capsulatus Tat system, resulting in a DMSO respiration deficiency. Although the general features of Tat substrates and translocons are similar between species, the data indicate that details in the targeting pathways can vary considerably.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2006

YcdB from Escherichia coli reveals a novel class of Tat-dependently translocated hemoproteins.

The Tat (twin-arginine translocation) system of Escherichia coli serves to translocate folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. The reasons established so far for the Tat dependence are cytoplasmic cofactor assembly and/or heterodimerization of the respective proteins. We were interested in the reasons for the Tat dependence of novel Tat substrates and focused on two uncharacterized proteins, YcdO and YcdB. Both proteins contain predicted Tat signal sequences. However, we found that only YcdB was indeed Tat-dependently translocated, whereas YcdO was equally well translocated in a Tat-deficient strain. YcdB is a dimeric protein and contains a heme cofactor that was identified to be a high-spin Fe(III)-protoporphyrin IX complex. In contrast to all other periplasmic hemoproteins analyzed so far, heme was assembled into YcdB in the cytoplasm, suggesting that heme assembly could take place prior to translocation. The function of YcdB in the periplasm may be related to a detoxification reaction under specific conditions because YcdB had peroxidase activity at acidic pH, which coincides well with the known acid-induced expression of the gene. The data demonstrate the existence of a class of heme-containing Tat substrates, the first member of which is YcdB.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Targeting of unfolded PhoA to the TAT translocon of Escherichia coli.

In Escherichia coli, the Tat system does not translocate Tat signal sequence fused PhoA (RR-PhoA), as it requires disulfide formation for folding. Here we show that such a RR-PhoA construct can be efficiently targeted to the Tat translocon, but the transport is not completed. RR-PhoA is detectable in a 580-kDa TatBC-containing complex, which is the first substrate-bound TatBC complex detected in a bacterial system so far. A second TatBC complex near 440 kDa comprises most of the TatB and TatC but is devoid of RR-PhoA. The targeting of PhoA to the Tat translocon depends on the twin-arginine motif and results in severe growth defects. This physiological effect is likely to be due to proton leakage at the cytoplasmic membrane. The results point to mechanistic incompatibilities of the Tat system with unfolded proteins such as RR-PhoA. There does not exist an intrinsic quality control at the TatBC complex itself, although correct folding is inevitable for Tat-dependent translocation.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed2004

Localization of the Tat translocon components in Escherichia coli.

The Tat system has the ability to translocate folded proteins across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. In Escherichia coli, three functionally different translocon components have been identified, namely TatA, TatB, and TatC. These proteins were fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and their localization was determined by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. TatA-GFP was distributed in the membrane, often with higher abundance at the poles. TatB-GFP was found in distinct spots at the poles of the cells. The fluorescence of TatC-GFP was very low and required a constitutive expression system to become higher than background, but then appearing polar. All three constructs complemented the chain-formation phenotype of corresponding mutant strains, indicating the functionality of the fusion proteins. TatB-GFP and TatC-GFP also complemented TMAO respiration deficiency and TatA-GFP the SDS-sensitivity of the mutant strains. The localization of the translocon-GFP fusions coincides with the fluorescence pattern of GFP fusions to Tat substrate signal sequences. We suggest that the active translocon complexes are mainly present at polar positions in Escherichia coli.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Topological studies on the twin-arginine translocase component TatC.

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system can translocate folded proteins across biological membranes. Among the known Tat-system components in Escherichia coli, TatC is the only protein with multiple trans-membrane domains. TatC is important for translocon interactions with Tat substrates. The knowledge of its membrane topology is therefore crucial for the understanding of substrate binding and translocon function. Recently, based on active PhoA reporter fusions to the second predicted cytoplasmic loop of TatC, a topology with four trans-membrane domains has been suggested, calling in silico predictions of six trans-membrane domains into question. Here we report studies with translational fusions of TatC to the topological marker enzymes PhoA and LacZ which provide strong evidence for a six-trans-membrane domain topology. The stop transfer capacity of the fourth trans-membrane domain was found to be strongly influenced by the succeeding cytoplasmic domain. The presence of linker sequences at PhoA-fusion sites of the cytoplasmic domain induced PhoA leakage. In the case of one tested fusion (S185-PhoA), the stop-transfer efficiency was already low due to the negative charge in the center of the fourth trans-membrane domain (E170). The results point to the importance of cytoplasmic loops for the stabilization of stop-transfer sequences and revoke evidence for only four trans-membrane domains of TatC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Structural studies on a twin-arginine signal sequence.

Translocation of folded proteins across biological membranes can be mediated by the so-called 'twin-arginine translocation' (Tat) system. To be translocated, Tat substrates require N-terminal signal sequences which usually contain the eponymous twin-arginine motif. Here we report the first structural analysis of a twin-arginine signal sequence, the signal sequence of the high potential iron-sulfur protein from Allochromatium vinosum. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses of amide proton resonances did not indicate a signal sequence structure. Accordingly, data from H/D exchange matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry showed that the amide protons of the signal sequence exchange rapidly, indicating the absence of secondary structure in the signal sequence up to L29. We conclude that the conserved twin-arginine motif does not form a structure by itself or as a result of intramolecular interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Membrane targeting of a folded and cofactor-containing protein.

Targeting of proteins to and translocation across the membranes is a fundamental biological process in all organisms. In bacteria, the twin arginine translocation (Tat) system can transport folded proteins. Here, we demonstrate in vivo that the high potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) from Allochromatium vinosum is translocated into the periplasmic space by the Tat system of Escherichia coli. In vitro, reconstituted HiPIP precursor (preHoloHiPIP) was targeted to inverted membrane vesicles from E. coli by a process requiring ATP when the Tat substrate was properly folded. During membrane targeting, the protein retained its cofactor, indicating that it was targeted in a folded state. Membrane targeting did not require a twin arginine motif and known Tat system components. On the basis of these findings, we propose that a pathway exists for the insertion of folded cofactor-containing proteins such as HiPIP into the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2003

An alternative model of the twin arginine translocation system.

The twin arginine translocation (Tat) system is a machinery which can translocate folded proteins across energy transducing membranes. Currently it is supposed that Tat substrates bind directly to Tat translocon components before a ApH-driven translocation occurs. In this review, an alternative model is presented which proposes that membrane integration could precede Tat-dependent translocation. This idea is mainly supported by the recent observations of Tat-independent membrane insertion of Tat substrates in vivo and in vitro. Membrane insertion may allow i) a quality control of the folded state by membrane bound proteases like FtsH, ii) the recognition of the membrane spanning signal peptide by Tat system components, and iii) a pulling mechanism of translocation. In some cases of folded Tat substrates, the membrane targeting process may require ATP-dependent N-terminal unfolding-steps.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2002

Adaptation of protein secretion to extremely high-salt conditions by extensive use of the twin-arginine translocation pathway.

Halophilic archaea thrive in environments with salt concentrations approaching saturation. However, little is known about the way in which these organisms stabilize their secreted proteins in such 'hostile' conditions. Here, we present data suggesting that the utilization of protein translocation pathways for protein secretion by the Halobacteriaceae differs significantly from that of non-haloarchaea, and most probably represents an adaptation to the high-salt environment. Although most proteins are secreted via the general secretion (Sec) machinery, the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is mainly used for the secretion of redox proteins and is distinct from the Sec pathway, in that it allows cytoplasmic folding of secreted proteins. tatfind (developed in this study) was used for systematic whole-genome analysis of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 and several other prokaryotes to identify putative Tat substrates. Our analyses revealed that the vast majority of haloarchaeal secreted proteins were predicted substrates of the Tat pathway. Strikingly, most of these putative Tat substrates were non-redox proteins, the homologues of which in non-haloarchaea were identified as putative Sec substrates. We confirmed experimentally that the secretion of one such putative Tat substrate depended on the twin-arginine motif in its signal sequence. This extensive utilization of the Tat pathway in haloarchaea suggests an evolutionary adaptation to high-salt conditions by allowing cytoplasmic folding of secreted proteins before their secretion.

Adaptation, Physiological↗