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A novel class of secA alleles that exert a signal-sequence-dependent effect on protein export in Escherichia coli.

The murine plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI2) signal sequence inefficiently promotes the export of E. coli alkaline phosphatase (AP). High-level expression of PAI2::AP chimeric proteins from the arabinose P(BAD) promoter is toxic and confers an Ara(S) phenotype. Most Ara(R) suppressors map to secA, as determined by sequencing 21 independent alleles. Mutations occur throughout the gene, including both nucleotide binding domains (NBDI and NBDII) and the putative signal sequence binding domain (SSBD). Using malE and phoA signal sequence mutants, we showed that the vast majority of these secA suppressors exhibit weak Sec phenotypes. Eight of these secA mutations were further characterized in detail. Phenotypically, these eight suppressors can be divided into three groups, each localized to one domain of SecA. Most mutations allow near-normal levels of wild-type preprotein export, but they enhance the secretion defect conferred by signal sequence mutations. Interestingly, one group exerts a selective effect on the export of PAI2::AP when compared to that of AP. In conclusion, this novel class of secA mutations, selected as suppressors of a toxic signal sequence, differs from the classical secA (prlD) mutations, selected as suppressors of defective signal sequences, although both types of mutations affect signal sequence recognition.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Two oligosaccharyl transferase complexes exist in yeast and associate with two different translocons.

Oligosaccharyl transferase (OT) scans and selectively glycosylates -Asn-X-Thr/Ser-motifs in nascent polypeptide chains in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Several groups have reported different results for the composition of this enzyme complex. In this study, using a membrane protein two-hybrid approach, the split-ubiquitin system, we show that except for Ost3p and Ost6p, all of the other subunits of OT exist as dimers or oligomers in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ost3p and Ost6p behave strikingly similar in a series of genetic and biochemical assays, but clearly do not exist in the same OT complex. This observation, as well as the results in an accompanying study to analyze the composition of OT complex by blue native gel electrophoresis using a series of wild-type and mutant yeast strains strongly suggests that two isoforms of the OT complex exist in the ER, differing only in the presence of Ost3p or Ost6p. Each of these two isoforms of the OT complex specifically interacts with two structurally similar, but functionally different translocon complexes: the Sec61 and the Ssh1 translocon complexes.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Rpb7 subunit of RNA polymerase II interacts with an RNA-binding protein involved in processing of transcripts.

Rpb4-Rpb7, a dissociable subcomplex of RNA polymerase II (pol II), is required for transcription initiation. To understand the role of Rpb7 in transcription initiation or other processes in transcription, we carried out a two-hybrid screen for proteins that interact with Rpb7 of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The screen identified the S.pombe homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nrd1, an RNA-binding protein implicated in 3' end formation of small nucleolar and small nuclear RNAs transcribed by pol II. The S.pombe protein, named Seb1 for seven binding, was essential for cell viability, and bound directly to Rpb7 in vitro. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rpb7 also interacted with Nrd1, indicating that the interaction is conserved in evolution. Glu166 and/or Asp167 of S.pombe Rpb7, residues near the C-terminus of the 172 amino acid protein, were found to be important for its interaction with Seb1. Our results suggest that Rpb7 may function to anchor a processing factor to the pol II apparatus, thereby coupling RNA processing to transcription. The role for Rpb7 is consistent with its location in the pol II complex determined by recent structural studies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Membrane topology inversion of SecG detected by labeling with a membrane-impermeable sulfhydryl reagent that causes a close association of SecG with SecA.

SecG stimulates protein translocation in Escherichia coli by facilitating the membrane insertion-deinsertion cycle of SecA. SecG was previously shown to undergo membrane topology inversion, since SecA-dependent protein translocation renders the membrane-protected region of SecG sensitive to external proteases. To examine this topology inversion in more detail without protease-treatment, SecG derivatives with a single cysteine residue at various positions were labeled in the presence and absence of protein translocation with a membrane impermeable SH reagent, 4-acetamido-4'-maleimidylstilbene-2-2'-disulfonic acid (AMS). Treatment of spheroplasts with AMS revealed that a cysteine residue in the cytoplasmic region of SecG could be labeled from the periplasm side only in the presence of protein translocation, whereas a cytoplasmic protein, elongation factor, Tu, remained unlabeled. Treatment of inverted membrane vesicles with AMS also revealed that cysteine residues in the periplasmic region were labeled from the cytoplasmic side of membranes only when protein translocation was in progress. This labeling required ATP, SecA and a precursor protein, and became more efficient as the position of the cysteine residue became closer to the C-terminus. Crosslinking analyses revealed that the interaction between SecG and SecA in membranes markedly increases when SecA and SecG undergo membrane-insertion and topology inversion, respectively. Thus, the two most dynamic components of the translocation machinery were found for the first time to interact with each other when both undergo conformational changes.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Roles of the conserved cytoplasmic region and non-conserved carboxy-terminal region of SecE in Escherichia coli protein translocase.

SecE, an essential membrane component of the Escherichia coli protein translocase, consists of 127 amino acid residues. Only a part of the second putative cytoplasmic region comprising some 13 residues is essential for the SecE function as long as the proper topological arrangement is retained. The Trp84 and Pro85 residues of this region are conserved in all eubacterial SecE homologues. The conservation of positively charged residues corresponding to Arg80 and Lys81 is also substantial. We deleted or replaced these residues to assess their roles in the SecE function. Deletion of the Arg80-Lys81 dipeptide did not abolish the SecE function whereas that of Trp84 or Pro85 caused a loss of the function. Strikingly, however, replacement of Pro85 with either Gly, Ser, or Ala, and that of Trp84 with Lys did not abolish the SecE function. These results indicate that the strong conservation of these residues does not reflect their obligatory requirement for the SecE function. A chimeric SecE possessing the cytoplasmic region of the E. coli SecE and the following region of the Bacillus subtilis SecE was able to form the translocation machinery together with SecA, SecY, and SecG. Although a Leu to Arg mutation at position 108 has been thought to cause a loss of signal recognition fidelity and thereby suppress a signal sequence defect, the same mutation at position 111 caused a complete loss of the function. The levels of SecY and SecG in the secEcsE501 mutant, which expresses SecE at a decreased level and is sensitive to low temperature, increased upon the expression of functional SecE derivatives, irrespective of the site of mutation, suggesting that the levels of SecY and SecG are co-operatively determined by the level of functional, but not non-functional, SecE. Based on these results, the SecE function in the translocase is discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Stability and solvent accessibility of SecA protein of Escherichia coli.

It has been shown that many proteins, when converted into partially unfolded structures, interact strongly with a lipid bilayer. SecA protein of Escherichia coli is an unusual water-soluble protein which, in the native form, can readily penetrate the membrane and lipid bilayer. In order to see whether the native SecA exhibits partially unfolded characteristics, the stability and solvent accessibility of SecA were studied using various spectroscopic and hydrogen-exchange methods. The results are compared with the reported data for native and molten globule forms of alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA), as well as those for apocytochrome c. The exposure of hydrophobic residues of SecA, as monitored by 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) binding, and the extent of amide hydrogen exchange were comparable to those of native alpha-LA. On the other hand, equilibrium unfolding experiments showed that SecA is less stable than native alpha-LA. The results of tryptic digestion and the change of endogenous ATPase activity induced by guanidine hydrochloride were suggestive of the C-terminal half of SecA being more flexible than the rest of the protein. The overall conclusion is that the SecA as a whole has a somewhat open structure due to a relatively unstable C-domain which may facilitate its penetration into a lipid bilayer.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Amino-terminal region of SecA is involved in the function of SecG for protein translocation into Escherichia coli membrane vesicles.

Protein translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli is accomplished by concerted actions of the translocation ATPase SecA and the membrane-embedded SecE/Y/G complex. SecA interacts with preproteins and undergoes ATP-driven cycles of membrane insertion-deinsertion. To address how SecA interacts functionally with other components in the translocation machinery, we characterized a SecA mutant lacking amino-terminal 8 amino acid residues (SecA N-8). Although the absence of the 8 residues did not grossly affect the interaction of SecA with a preprotein, ATP, or phospholipids, nor did it affect the intrinsic ATPase activity, it gave differential effects on the translocation of different preproteins. It also affected the translocation ATPase activity, the ability of membrane insertion, and the topology inversion of SecG coupled with the membrane insertion-deinsertion of SecA. Most noteworthy, SecA N-8 was pronouncedly defective in the translocation of proton motive force-dependent preproteins, in which SecG might have a role. We propose that the amino-terminal region of SecA is important for the functional interaction with SecG.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Enhancing effect of Bacillus subtilis Ffh, a homologue of the SRP54 subunit of the mammalian signal recognition particle, on the binding of SecA to precursors of secretory proteins in vitro.

The precursors of beta-lactamase fusion proteins having the signal peptide of Bacillus subtilis alkaline protease (pAprE-BlaH6) or penicillin binding protein 5(*) (pPBP5(*)-BlaH6) accumulated in B. subtilis cells in the absence of SecA or Ffh. Using the five purified precursors of secretory proteins including the two fusion proteins, B. subtilis Ffh and SecA, we analyzed the protein targeting mechanism of B. subtilis in vitro. B. subtilis SecA recognized the completely translated precursors of secretory proteins to which Ffh also bound. Moreover, B. subtilis SecA-precursor complex formation was enhanced 15-to 30-fold when the precursor and Ffh were incubated first and then SecA was added, but not vice versa. We also found that B. subtilis SecA directly interacted with Ffh in vitro. These results indicate that B. subtilis SecA and Ffh interact to function cooperatively in a protein translocation pathway including other protein factors, and that Ffh, as well as SecB in Escherichia coli, enhances the binding of SecA to presecretory proteins in B. subtilis cells.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Two SecG molecules present in a single protein translocation machinery are functional even after crosslinking.

SecG, a membrane component of the protein translocation apparatus of Escherichia coli, undergoes membrane topology inversion, which is coupled to the membrane insertion and deinsertion cycle of SecA. Eighteen SecG derivatives possessing a single cysteine residue at various positions were constructed and expressed in a secG null mutant. All the SecG-Cys derivatives retained the SecG function, and stimulated protein translocation both in vivo and in vitro. Inverted membrane vesicles containing a SecG-Cys derivative were labeled with a membrane-permeable or -impermeable sulfhydryl reagent before or after solubilization with a detergent. The accessibility of these reagents to the cysteine residue of each derivative determined the topological arrangement of SecG in the membrane. Derivatives having the cysteine residue in the periplasmic region each existed as a homodimer crosslinked through disulfide bonds, indicating that two SecG molecules closely co-exist in a single translocation machinery. The crosslinking did not abolish the SecG function and the crosslinked SecG dimer underwent topology inversion upon protein translocation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of a Bacillus subtilis gene homologous to E. coli secY.

A 3.5-kb HindIII DNA fragment containing the secY gene of Bacillus subtilis has been cloned into plasmid pUC13 using the Escherichia coli secY gene as a probe. The complete nucleotide sequence of the cloned DNA indicated that it contained five open reading frames, and their order in the region, given by the gene product, was suggested to be L30-L15-SecY-Adk-Map by their similarity to the products of the E. coli genes. The region was similar to a part of the spc operon of the E. coli chromosome, although the genes for Adk and Map were not included. The gene product of the B. subtilis secY homologue was composed of 423 amino acids and its molecular weight was calculated to be 46,300. The distribution of hydrophobic amino acids in the gene product suggested that the protein is a membrane integrated protein with ten transmembrane segments. The total deduced amino acid sequence of the B. subtilis SecY homologue shows 41.3% homology with that of E. coli SecY, but remarkably higher homologous regions (more than 80% identity) are present in the four cytoplasmic domains.

Adenylate Kinase↗

A truncated Bacillus subtilis SecA protein consisting of the N-terminal 234 amino acid residues forms a complex with Escherichia coli SecA51(ts) protein and complements the protein translocation defect of the secA51 mutant.

Although wild-type Bacillus subtilis SecA barely complements the growth and protein translocation defect of Escherichia coli secA51(ts) at the non-permissive temperature, an N-terminal peptide of B. subtilis SecA complements the defects. To elucidate the mechanism of this complementation, a series of plasmids encoding truncated SecA proteins was constructed and their products were analyzed in E. coli cells. The truncated B. subtilis SecA protein consisting of the N-terminal 234 amino acid residues (BN234) complemented the growth and protein translocation defects of E. coli secA51 but not those of another secA amber mutant, E. coli secA13(ts). BN234 existed in both a soluble form, possibly as a homodimer, and a higher-molecular-weight complex in E. coli strain MM52 (secA51). The purified complex, consisting of at least BN234, SecA51, and ATP-dependent protease La, was held together by a cross-linking reagent, EDAC. The other truncated proteins consisting of the N-terminal 584 or 396 amino acid residues and the C-terminal 607 residues of B. subtilis SecA did not complement the two E. coli mutants or form a complex with SecA51. These results suggest that BN234 and SecA51 proteins form a functional complex in vivo and complement the defects of E. coli MM52.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Cloning and expression analysis of Phytoplasma protein translocation genes.

Genes encoding SecA and SecY proteins, essential components of the Sec protein translocation system, were cloned from onion yellows phytoplasma, an unculturable plant pathogenic bacterium. The secA gene consists of 2,505 nucleotides encoding an 835 amino acid protein (95.7 kDa) and shows the highest similarity with SecA of Bacillus subtilis. Anti-SecA rabbit antibody was prepared from a purified partial SecA protein, with a histidine tag expressed in Escherichia coli. Western blot analysis confirmed that SecA protein (approximately 96 kDa) is produced in phytoplasma-infected plants. Immunohistochemical thin sections observed by optical microscopy showed that SecA is characteristically present in plant phloem tissues infected with phytoplasma. The secY gene consists of 1,239 nucleotides encoding a 413 amino acid protein (45.9 kDa) and shows the highest similarity with SecY of B. subtilis. These results suggest the presence of a functional Sec system in phytoplasmas. Because phytoplasmas are endocellular bacteria lacking cell walls, this system might secrete bacterial proteins directly into the host cytoplasm. This study is what we believe to be the first report of the sequence and expression analysis of phytoplasma genes encoding membrane proteins with a predicted function.

Acholeplasmataceae↗

Bacillus sonorensis sp. nov., a close relative of Bacillus licheniformis, isolated from soil in the Sonoran Desert, Arizona.

Eight Bacillus strains isolated from Sonoran Desert soil were shown to belong to a previously unidentified species, for which the name Bacillus sonorensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain L87-10T (= NRRL B-23154T). On the basis of phenotypic and genetic data, B. sonorensis is most closely related to Bacillus licheniformis. B. sonorensis can be distinguished from B. licheniformis by salt tolerance, pigmentation, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, reassociation of genomic DNA and sequence differences in protein-coding genes and 16S rRNA.

Arizona↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of an alkalophilic Bacillus sp. C125 gene homologous to Bacillus subtilis sec Y.

A 1.8 kb HindIII DNA fragment containing the secY gene of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. C125 has been cloned into plasmid pUC119 using the B. subtilis secY gene as a probe. The complete nucleotide sequence of the cloned DNA indicated that it contained one complete ORF and parts of two other ORFs. The similarity of these ORFs to the sequences of the B. subtilis proteins indicated that they were the genes for ribosomal protein L15-SecY-adenylate kinase, in that order. The gene product of the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. C125 secY homologue was composed of 431 amino acids and its M(r) value has been calculated to be 47,100. The distribution of hydrophobic amino acids in the gene product suggested that the protein was a membrane integrated protein with ten transmembrane segments. The total amino acid sequence of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. C125 secY homologue showed 69.7% homology with that of B. subtilis secY. Regions of remarkably high homology (78% identity) were present in transmembrane regions, and cytoplasmic domains (73% identity) with less homologous regions present in extracellular domains (43% identity).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acquisition of azide-resistance by elevated SecA ATPase activity confers azide-resistance upon cell growth and protein translocation in Bacillus subtilis.

We isolated four azide-resistant secA mutants of Bacillus subtilis and found that all of them were the result of a single amino acid replacement of threonine 128 of SecA by alanine or isoleucine. In the presence of 1.5 mM sodium azide, cell growth and protein translocation of the wild-type strain were completely inhibited, but those of the azide-resistant mutant strains were not. Wild-type and two mutant SecA proteins were purified. Both the basal level and the elevated ATPase activity of the mutant SecA proteins were threefold higher than those of the wild-type SecA. The elevated ATPase activity of the SecA mutants was reduced upon the addition of 1.5 mM sodium azide by only 5-10% as compared with 40% for that of the wild-type. These results indicate that the elevated ATPase activity of the SecA mutants is resistant to sodium azide and that is also required for the protein translocation process of B. subtilis.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Defect in export and synthesis of the periplasmic galactose receptor MglB in dnaK mutants of Escherichia coli, and decreased stability of the mglB mRNA.

The high-affinity galactose permease, which comprises the periplasmic galactose receptor MglB, the membrane translocator MglC and the membrane-associated ATPase MglA, displayed a reduced activity in a dnaK temperature-sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli. This reduced transport activity correlated with a reduction in the quantity of MglB. At 42 degrees C, an accumulation of pre-MglB in the dnaK temperature-sensitive mutant reflected a defect in MglB export. In addition, an accumulation of pre-MglB in secB, secA and secY mutants suggested that SecB and the Sec translocase are also involved in export of the periplasmic galactose receptor. At 30 degrees C, there was no accumulation of pre-MglB in the dnaK mutant, but there was still a decreased amount of MglB in the periplasm. The reduction in MglB expression was not the result of a decrease in its stability, nor was it the result of a general defect in translation or transcription, since the MglA protein (which is expressed from the same operon as MglB) was synthesized in normal amounts. Two mRNAs are implicated in the expression of the mgl genes, a polycistronic mglBAC mRNA, and a more stable and more abundant mglB mRNA, produced by 3'-5' degradation of the mglBAC mRNA (R. W. Hogg, C. Voelker & I. von Carlowitz, 1991, Mol Gen Genet 229, 453-459). The mglB mRNA is protected against exonucleases by a REP (Repetitive Extragenic Palindrome) sequence located at its 3' extremity, which is responsible for the higher expression of MglB compared to MglA and MglC. The decreased MglB expression in the dnaK mutant at 30 degrees C in the present work correlated with a reduced stability of the mglB mRNA, which may have resulted from a defective stabilization by the REP sequence, or from a defect in translation of the mglB gene.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Proteome analysis of Bacillus subtilis extracellular proteins: a two-dimensional protein electrophoretic study.

To analyse the proteome of Bacillus subtilis extracellular proteins, extracellular protein samples were prepared from culture media (minimal medium containing 0.4% glucose) of parental B. subtilis 168, a secA-temperature sensitive mutant and an ffh conditional mutant, and examined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Approximately 100 to 110 spots were visualized in a gel of B. subtilis 168 extracellular proteins. Over 90% and 80% of these disappeared in the absence of SecA and Ffh, respectively. Thirty-eight obvious spots on the gel of the B. subtilis 168 preparation were selected and compared with spots obtained under SecA- or Ffh-deficient conditions. The appearance of 36 of these 38 spots depended on SecA and Ffh. Nineteen additional extracellular proteins were detected in cultures maintained in cellobiose, maltose and soluble starch. Among 23 proteins of which the N-terminal amino acid sequences were determined, 17 were extracellular proteins having signal peptides in their precursor form. Two membrane proteins, Yfnl and YflE, were cleaved behind 226Ala-Tyr-Ala228 and 213Ala-Leu-Ala215, respectively, and of which products seemed to be liberated into the culture medium. The production of Yfnl and YflE were also dependent on SecA and Ffh. These results indicate that most extracellular proteins target to and translocate across the cytoplasmic membrane by co-operation between the signal-recognition particle and Sec protein-secretion pathways. In contrast, a spot for Hag appeared independent from SecA and Ffh. Intracellular proteins Gap, SodA and KatA were identified in the extracellular protein samples. On the basis of these results and computer searches, it was predicted that B. subtilis produces 150 to 180 proteins extracellularly.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Chaperone-like activities of the CsaA protein of Bacillus subtilis.

The growth and protein export defects of Escherichia coli secA51(Ts) strains can be suppressed by the CsaA protein of Bacillus subtilis. The present studies indicate that this effect can be attributed to chaperone-like activities of CsaA. First, CsaA stimulated protein export in secB, groES and dnaJ mutant strains of E. coli. Second, CsaA suppressed the growth defects of dnaK, dnaJ and grpE mutants of E. coli. Third, and most importantly, CsaA exhibited chaperone-like properties by stimulating the reactivation of heat-denatured firefly luciferase in groEL, groES, dnaK and grpE mutant strains of E. coli, and by preventing the aggregation of heat-denatured luciferase in vitro. Thus, it seems that CsaA suppresses the growth and secretion defects of E. coli secA(Ts) strains either by improving the translocation competence of exported pre-proteins, thereby making them better substrates for mutant SecA proteins, or by stimulating the translocation activity of mutant SecA proteins.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗