SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “SEC Translocation Channels”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources

PubMed1984

Acetylcholine receptor (from Electrophorus electricus): a comparison of single-channel current recordings and chemical kinetic measurements.

We report a direct comparison between two types of measurements of the dynamic properties of the acetylcholine receptor: single-channel currents recorded using the patch-clamp technique and chemical kinetic measurements. Electrophorus electricus electroplax cells, and membrane vesicles prepared from these cells, were used. Such a comparison, and single-channel currents recorded from these cells, have not previously been reported. We first give the theoretical basis for the comparison and define the conditions under which the comparisons are elegantly simple. We relate (i) measurements of currents through receptor channels in the cell membranes to measurements of the rates of ion translocation through the receptor channels in vesicles and (ii) measurements of the lifetimes of receptor states (for instance, the lifetime of the active state of the receptor--i.e., the state in which it can form open channels) to rate coefficients obtained in chemical kinetic measurements (for instance, those for the interconversions between different states of the receptor). In eel Ringer's solution we have found the single-channel conductance (gamma) of the receptor in E. electricus electroplax cells to be 53 pS. From this value, a specific reaction rate for ion translocation, J, of 5 X 10(7) M-1 X sec-1 was calculated. When membrane vesicles prepared from the electroplax cells and the same solution compositions were used, chemical kinetic measurements gave a J value of 3 X 10(7) M-1 X sec-1. The agreement between the two measurements is important because (i) they reflect different experimental conditions, which require different assumptions in interpreting the results, and (ii) it indicates that the two techniques can be used to obtain complementary information: the methods have different time resolutions and can be used in different ranges of acetylcholine concentrations.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2001

Multiple pathways used for the targeting of thylakoid proteins in chloroplasts.

The assembly of the chloroplast thylakoid membrane requires the import of numerous proteins from the cytosol and their targeting into or across the thylakoid membrane. It is now clear that multiple pathways are involved in the thylakoid-targeting stages, depending on the type of protein substrate. Two very different pathways are used by thylakoid lumen proteins; one is the Sec pathway which has been well-characterised in bacteria, and which involves the threading of the substrate through a narrow channel. In contrast, the more recently characterised twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system is able to translocate fully folded proteins across this membrane. Recent advances on bacterial Tat systems shed further light on the structure and function of this system. Membrane proteins, on the other hand, use two further pathways. One is the signal recognition particle-dependent pathway, involving a complex interplay between many different factors, whereas other proteins insert without the assistance of any known apparatus. This article reviews advances in the study of these pathways and considers the rationale behind the surprising complexity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1981

The role of vesicles in the transport of ferritin through frog endothelium.

1. The transport of ferritin molecules by endothelial cell vesicles has been quantitatively investigated by electron microscopy. Single mesenteric capillaries of pithed frogs were perfused with solutions containing 6.7 g ferritin 100 ml.-1 for known periods before fixation in situ with osmium tetroxide. 2. Two series of experiments were carried out: in the first series the perfusate contained bovine serum albumin (1.0 g 100 ml.-1); in the second series the perfusate contained no protein other than the ferritin. To assess the molecular radius of ferritin in solution, the free diffusion coefficient of ferritin was measured in the presence and absence of albumin. 3. The free diffusion coefficient of ferritin in saline solution (110 m-mole 1.-1) was found to be 0.35 X 10(-6) cm2 sec-1 at 21 degrees C and was not affected by the presence of bovine serum albumin. This indicates that there is no significant binding of albumin to ferritin in solution and yields a value for the Stokes-Einstein radius of ferritin of 6.1 nm. 4. In all perfusion experiments the percentage of luminal vesicles containing ferritin exceeded the percentage of labelled cytoplasmic vesicles, which in turn exceeded the percentage of labelled abluminal vesicles. 5. Labelling of all vesicle populations was seen after perfusions lasting less than 1 sec. At this time luminal vesicles were more heavily labelled in the absence of albumin. 6. The labelling of luminal vesicles increased with lengthening perfusion times up to 30-40 sec, after which steady levels of labelling were achieved. The rate of rise in luminal labelling and the steady-state levels reached were both greater in the absence of albumin. By contrast cytoplasmic labelling increased above its initial value only after perfusions of longer than 10 sec. 7. In the steady state, labelled cytoplasmic vesicles contained, on average, fewer ferritin molecules than labelled luminal vesicles. This finding is inconsistent with translocation of labelled luminal vesicles across the cell. 8. It is suggested that the early constant labelling of cytoplasmic and abluminal vesicles is consistent with the existence of vesicular channels. Later cytoplasmic labelling may result from the transient fusion of cytoplasmic vesicles with labelled luminal vesicles for periods long enough to allow mixing of vesicular contents. Albumin may affect vesicular transport by its interaction with the endothelial glycocalyx.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Acetylcholine-induced cation translocation across cell membranes and inactivation of the acetylcholine receptor: chemical kinetic measurements in the millisecond time region.

Acetylcholine-induced flux of inorganic ions across membranes and inactivation of the acetylcholine receptor were measured at pH 7.0, 1 degrees C, over a 5000-fold concentration range of acetylcholine. Receptor-containing electroplax membrane vesicles prepared from Electrophorus electricus and a quench-flow technique were used, allowing flux to be measured in the 2-msec to 1-min time region. Five different measurements were made: (i) rate of ion translocation with the active state of the receptor, (ii) rate of the slower ion translocation after equilibration of active and inactive receptor states, (iii) rate of inactivation, (iv) equilibrium between active and inactive forms of the receptor, and (v) reactivation of inactivated receptor. The kinetics of the steps in the receptor-controlled ion flux follow single-exponential rate laws, and simple analytical expressions for their ligand concentration dependence can be used. Thus, the rate and equilibrium constants in a scheme that relates the ligand binding steps to ion translocation could be evaluated. It was found that the dependence of the receptor-controlled ion translocation over the concentration range investigated obeys the integrated rate equation based on the proposed mechanism. The flux rate before inactivation was approximately 10(7) ions sec-1 per receptor, which is comparable with that measured electrophysiologically in muscle cells. The half-time of inactivation is approximately 100 msec when the receptor is saturated with acetylcholine. The specific reaction rate of the ion translocation (J) is 3 X 10(7) M-1 sec-1. The results support a minimum reaction mechanism previously proposed on the basis of experiments in which carbamylcholine was used.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1995

Use of 82Br- radiotracer to study transmembrane halide flux: the effect of a tranquilizing drug, chlordiazepoxide on channel opening of a GABAA receptor.

We used the short-lived radionuclide, 82Br- to follow gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) receptor-mediated halide exchange into membrane vesicles from rat cerebral cortex in millisecond and second time regions using quench-flow technique. The radioisotope was prepared by neutron capture [81Br-(n,gamma)82Br-] on irradiation of a natural isotope of bromine, 81Br- in a neutron flux. 82Br- decays by beta-emission with secondary gamma-emission. Possible advantages of 82Br- over 36Cl- in anion tracer measurements include, (a) a short lifetime (t1/2 = 35.3 hr), which alleviates contamination and disposal problems, (b) high counting efficiency (1.54) due to the secondary radiation, (c) measurement with a gamma-counter as well as a beta-counter, (d) a simple preparation not requiring subsequent purification steps giving a specific activity depending on the irradiation time. With 6 hr irradiation time the specific activity was sufficient to make measurements with < 1 mM Br-, which is less than the bromide concentration known to affect the properties of GABAA receptor. The radiotracers, 82Br- and 36Cl- could be compared with the same solution composition. In conditions where a direct effect of binding of halide to receptor does not contribute to a difference in measured ion-flux, 82Br- was translocated only marginally faster than 36Cl-. The effect of chlordiazepoxide (CDPX) (2-250 microM) on the progress of GABA (10 microM)-mediated 82Br- uptake was measured in a time range of 200 msec to 20 sec using quench-flow technique. The two phases of anion exchange previously reported in this experimental model with GABA alone were observed. The rate of 82Br- exchange was increased 2.3-fold at 30-60 microM CDPX and was not further increased with increasing [CDPX]. The rate of halide exchange is a measure of open channel concentration. The isotope exchange rate constant, J, in a membrane vesicle preparation, is a measure of the membrane permeability per internal volume/surface area, J = PmA/V. Receptor desensitization rate was also increased by CDPX, but unlike the isotope exchange rate, it continued to increase up to at least 250 microM CDPX.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Two-partner secretion in Gram-negative bacteria: a thrifty, specific pathway for large virulence proteins.

A collection of large virulence exoproteins, including Ca2+-independent cytolysins, an iron acquisition protein and several adhesins, are secreted by the two-partner secretion (TPS) pathway in various Gram-negative bacteria. The hallmarks of the TPS pathway are the presence of an N-proximal module called the 'secretion domain' in the exoproteins that we have named the TpsA family, and the channel-forming beta-barrel transporter proteins we refer to as the TpsB family. The genes for cognate exoprotein and transporter protein are usually organized in an operon. Specific secretion signals are present in a highly conserved region of the secretion domain of TpsAs. TpsBs probably serve as specific receptors of the TpsA secretion signals and as channels for the translocation of the exoproteins across the outer membrane. A subfamily of transporters also mediates activation of their cognate cytolysins upon secretion. The exoproteins are synthesized as precursors with an N-terminal cleavable signal peptide, and a subset of them carries an extended signal peptide of unknown function. According to our current model, the exoproteins are probably translocated across the cytoplasmic membrane in a Sec-dependent fashion, and their signal peptide is probably processed by a LepB-type signal peptidase. The N-proximal secretion domain directs the exoproteins towards their transporters early, so that translocation across both membranes is coupled. The exoproteins transit through the periplasm in an extended conformation and fold progressively at the cell surface before eventually being released into the extracellular milieu. Several adhesins also undergo extensive proteolytic processing upon secretion. The genes of many new TpsAs and TpsBs are found in recently sequenced genomes, suggesting that the TPS pathway is widespread.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Signal transduction mechanisms of Ca2+ mobilizing hormones: the case of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Multiple (at least seven) steps are involved in GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion and gonadotropin gene expression. After binding to specific receptors located exclusively on pituitary gonadotrophs, GnRH stimulates a rapid phosphodiesteric hydrolysis of phosphoinositides for which no rise in [Ca2+]i is required. Activation of PLC is most likely mediated by a pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding protein (Gp). In its activated state (Gp-GTP) the binding affinity of GnRH to is receptor is reduced. Rapid formation of IP3 will enhance Ca2+ release from intracellular sources most likely via a specific IP3 receptor. The transient Ca2+ rise might be responsible for a burst phase of LH release lasting for about 100 sec, which is not dependent on extracellular Ca2+. The backbone moiety of the phosphoinositides, DG, and the elevated [Ca2+]i are most likely responsible for translocation of PKC subspecies from the cytosol to the membrane. The most likely candidates are alpha- and beta II-PKC. The activated PKC subspecies phosphorylate substrate proteins which activate secretory reactions and participate in gonadotropin gene expression. In parallel Ca2(+)-influx via nifedipine-sensitive and insensitive channels further elevates [Ca2+]i, which participates in the sustained phase of gonadotropin secretion in concert with the activated PKCs. GnRH also triggers the release of AA and the formation of lipoxygenase and/or epoxygenase products of the fatty acid which are also involved in the process of the exocytosis. We predict that the continuous supply of DG and AA needed for GnRH action is also provided via activated PLD which will also supply phosphatidic acid, the role of which is as yet unclear. The interaction of the various second messengers involved in GnRH action (IP3, Ca2+, DG, AA) and their relative roles in gonadotropin secretion and gonadotropin gene expression await further investigation. In several aspects GnRH action on gonadotropin secretion is unique when compared to other Ca2(+)-mobilizing ligands: 1) At physiological concentrations GnRH up-regulates its own receptors whereas most ligands down-regulate the respective receptor; 2) PKC up-regulates GnRH receptors whereas in most cases PKC down-regulates the ligand receptor; 3) GnRH stimulation of PLC activity is most likely mediated by Gp whereas some Ca2(+)-mobilizing ligands operate via Gi; 4) Activated PKC does not exert negative feedback upon GnRH-induced inositol phosphate production as is the case with several other peptides; 5) Activated PKC might be responsible for Ca2+ influx whereas in several other systems PKC is inhibitory to Ca2+ influx.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The role of lipids in membrane insertion and translocation of bacterial proteins.

Phospholipids are essential building blocks of membranes and maintain the membrane permeability barrier of cells and organelles. They provide not only the bilayer matrix in which the functional membrane proteins reside, but they also can play direct roles in many essential cellular processes. In this review, we give an overview of the lipid involvement in protein translocation across and insertion into the Escherichia coli inner membrane. We describe the key and general roles that lipids play in these processes in conjunction with the protein components involved. We focus on the Sec-mediated insertion of leader peptidase. We describe as well the more direct roles that lipids play in insertion of the small coat proteins Pf3 and M13. Finally, we focus on the role of lipids in membrane assembly of oligomeric membrane proteins, using the potassium channel KcsA as model protein. In all cases, the anionic lipids and lipids with small headgroups play important roles in either determining the efficiency of the insertion and assembly process or contributing to the directionality of the insertion process.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1976

Trans-glial channel-facilitated translocation of tracer protein across ventral nerve root sheaths of crayfish.

Trans-glial channels, which traverse the multilamellate glial sheath of crayfish nerves, are easily recognized in freeze-fracture preparations. Their structure and position in the glial layers of the sheath strongly supports the suggestion that they serve to facilitate rapid movement of molecules and fluids from outside the sheath to the surface of axons contained within. Segments of ventral ganglion nerve roots, which were ligated at their free ends, were immersed in crayfish Ringer solution containing 10 mg/ml horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Electron microscopic examination of the nerve sheath 30 sec after exposure to peroxidase showed that the protein had passed across the sheath and was present near the axon surface. Reaction product was present in trans-glial channels as well as in extracellular clefts and adaxonal tubular lattices thereby supporting the notion that these structures constitute a specialized conduit traversing the sheath. Often, 'fronts' of reaction product were observed across the sheath from its exterior to the interior reflecting a gradual accumulation of protein in extracellular clefts toward the axon. After 5 min in HRP-Ringer, protein appeared in all channels, extracellular clefts, and tubular lattices. With increased length of exposure of ligated nerve segments to HRP-Ringer, reaction product was found in vesicles in glial cytoplasm adjacent to axons. Results from this study suggest that trans-glial channels constitute an efficient system for rapid solute movement across nerve sheaths and may represent a mechanism whereby ions and nutrients are made available to nerves isolated in an avascular sheath.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The structure of the bacterial protein translocation complex SecYEG.

Proteins destined for secretion, membrane insertion or organellar import contain signal sequences that direct them to the membrane. Once there, transport machines receive and translocate them appropriately across or into the membrane. The related SecY and Sec61 protein translocation complexes are ubiquitous components of machines that are essential for protein transport. They co-operate with various partners such that the substrate polypeptide is pulled or pushed through the membrane by post- or co-translational mechanisms. In bacteria and archaea, the SecY complex (SecYEG/SecYEbeta) is a heterotrimer, which associates with ribosomes so that the polypeptide is threaded through the channel during its synthesis. Bacteria possess an additional pathway, whereby the newly synthesized substrate protein is maintained in an unfolded conformation and is engaged by the ATPase SecA and delivered to the translocon. Recent medium- (cryo-electron microscopy) and high-resolution (X-ray) structures of the Sec complex have dramatically increased our understanding about how proteins pass through membranes, but have posed a number of new questions. The Sec complex is active as an oligomer, but the structure indicates that the protein-conducting channel is formed by a monomer of SecYEG. Structures of the membrane-bound dimer of Escherichia coli SecYEG and the detergent-solubilized monomer of Methanococcus jannaschii SecYEbeta will be described and discussed in the context of the mechanism that underlies protein secretion and membrane insertion.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Steroids dilate nuclear pores imaged with atomic force microscopy.

Macromolecules that act in the cell nucleus must overcome the nuclear envelope (NE). This barrier between cytosol and the nucleus is perforated by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) that serve as translocation machineries. We visualized the translocation process at the NE surface, applying a nanotechnical approach using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In order to initiate protein targeting to NPCs, dexamethasone (dex) was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. Dex is a synthetic steroid of great therapeutic relevance that specifically binds to glucocorticoid receptors and thus triggers an intracellular signal cascade involving the cell nucleus. Ninety and 180 sec after dex injection cell nuclei were isolated, the NEs spread on glass and scanned with AFM. With single molecule resolution we observed that dex initiated proteins (DIPs) first bind to NPC-free areas of the outer nuclear membrane. This causes NPCs to dilate. Then, in a second step, DIPs attach directly to NPCs and enter the dilated central channels. DIPs accumulation and NPC conformational changes were blocked by RU486, a specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. In conclusion, dex exposure induces NPC dilation. NPCs change conformation already prior to transport. The NPC dilation signal is most likely transmitted through NPC associated filaments or yet unknown structures in the NE outer membrane. NPC dilation could have significant impact on nuclear targeting of therapeutic macromolecules.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Purified components of the Escherichia coli Tat protein transport system form a double-layered ring structure.

The Escherichia coli twin arginine translocation (Tat) system mediates Sec-independent export of protein precursors bearing twin arginine signal peptides. The genes tatA, tatB, tatC and tatE code for integral membrane proteins that are components of the Tat pathway. Cells co-overexpressing tatABCDE show an increased rate of export of a signal peptide-defective Tat precursor protein and a complex containing the TatA and TatB proteins can be purified from the membranes of such cells. The purified TatAB complex has an apparent molecular mass of 600 kDa as measured by gel permeation chromatography and, like the membranes of wild-type cells, contains a large molar excess of TatA over TatB. Negative stain electron microscopy of the complex reveals cylindrical structures that may correspond to the Tat protein transport channel.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1989

Nicotinic and muscarinic agonists stimulate rapid protein kinase C translocation in PC12 cells.

Phosphoinositide hydrolysis, a major mechanism for signal transduction in neural cells, generates diacylglycerol, which can in turn activate protein kinase C (PKC). Although cholinergic agonists elicit phosphoinositide hydrolysis in neural tissues, little is known about activation of PKC by cholinergic agonists. PKC requires phosphatidylserine for activation, and in intact cells this lipid requirement is satisfied by binding of the enzyme to cell membranes. Therefore, in intact cells, activation of PKC is often associated with a decrease in cytosolic PKC activity accompanied by an increase in membrane-associated activity. We studied cholinergic-induced activation of PKC by examining changes in the subcellular distribution of the enzyme in PC12 cells treated with cholinergic drugs. Carbachol (1 mM) induced large and rapid increases in membrane-associated PKC activity; a maximal increase of 460% occurred after 5 sec of incubation. Carbachol-induced PKC translocation was concentration-dependent, with a biphasic dose-response curve yielding approximate EC50 values of 10(-6) M and 10(-4) M for the high- and low-affinity components, respectively. Experiments with selective cholinergic agents demonstrated that both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors are involved in carbachol-induced PKC translocation, but the response is predominantly mediated by nicotinic receptor stimulation. Muscarinic-induced association of PKC with cell membrane fractions was resistant to extraction by chelators, whereas nicotinic-mediated membrane binding was partially reduced by homogenization of cells in the presence of EGTA. Omission of calcium from the incubation medium or chelation of calcium with EGTA completely blocked muscarinic- and nicotinic-induced translocation. In addition, the calcium channel blocker nifedipine reduced the nicotinic response by 60%. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed1981

Specific reaction rate of acetylcholine receptor-controlled ion translocation: a comparison of measurements with membrane vesicles and with muscle cells.

The specific reaction rate (J) of the acetylcholine receptor-controlled ion translocation has been determined. In eel Ringer's solution (pH 7.0) at 1 degrees C, J = 3 X 10(7) M-1 sec-1. J is an intrinsic constant that is characteristic of the receptor and independent of other properties of a receptor-containing cell that also determine the rates of ion translocation. Membrane vesicles (prepared from the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus) and a flow-quench technique that has a millisecond time resolution were used to measure the receptor-controlled ion translocation. Using the value of J and the molar concentrations of receptor sites and inorganic ions, we calculated that 6 X 10(3) ions are translocated per msec per receptor. Analysis of electrical noise in frog muscle cells at temperatures above 8 degrees C [Nether, E. & Stevens, C. F. (1977) Annu. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng. 6, 345-381] gave a value of about 1 X 10(4) ions msec-1 per channel. Thus, each technique gives essentially the same result. It is now possible, therefore, to correlate the results obtained when receptor function is measured in two different ways in membrane vesicles and in muscle cells: (i) chemical kinetic measurements, using membrane vesicles, which relate the ligand binding and ion translocation processes and (ii) analysis of acetylcholine noise in muscle cells [Katz, B. & Miledi, R. (1972) J. Physiol. (London) 224, 665-699], which allows one to measure elementary steps in the formation of ion channels through the cell membrane.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2003

Moving folded proteins across the bacterial cell membrane.

The Tat protein export system is located in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane and operates in parallel to the well-known Sec pathway. While the Sec system only transports unstructured substrates, the function of the Tat pathway is to translocate folded proteins. The Tat translocase thus faces the formidable challenge of moving structured macromolecular substrates across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane without rendering the membrane freely permeable to protons and other ions. The substrates of the Tat pathway are often proteins that bind cofactor molecules in the cytoplasm, and are thus folded, prior to export. Such periplasmic cofactor-containing proteins are essential for most types of bacterial respiratory and photosynthetic energy metabolism. In addition, the Tat pathway is involved in outer membrane biosynthesis and in bacterial pathogenesis. Substrates are targeted to the Tat pathway by amino-terminal signal sequences harbouring consecutive, essentially invariant, arginine residues, and movement of proteins through the Tat system is energized by the transmembrane proton electrochemical gradient. The TatA protein probably forms the transport channel while the TatBC proteins act as a receptor complex that recognizes the signal peptide of the substrate protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Measurement of transient currents from neurotransmitter transporters expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Electrophysiological measurements add new dimensions to the study of neurotransmitter transporters. (1) One can perform measurements with high temporal resolution (however, uptake of radioactive substrate is limited in that it cannot resolve events that occur within 1 sec, which is greater than the time of a single transport cycle). (2) Electrophysiology provides information about partial steps in transport cycles, including the fact that ion binding and dissociation at transporters can generate currents, which provides new insights about ion-transporter interaction. (3) Electrophysiology provides information about single transporter molecules, from patch-clamp recordings of single-channel activity of neurotransmitter transporters. At present, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that underlie transport. Electrophysiological measurements of ion binding and permeation contribute to the analysis of mutations that affect transport. Electrophysiology may help to identify amino acids and domains in neurotransmitter transporters that participate in specific ways in the transport process, such as ion neurotransmitter binding, permeation pathways, voltage sensors, and gates. In combination with spectroscopic measurements, it may also be possible to identify the actual conformational changes of the proteins that enable substrate translocation.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Secretin of the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli type III secretion system requires components of the type III apparatus for assembly and localization.

At least 16 proteins are thought to be involved in forming the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) type III translocation apparatus which delivers virulence factors into host cells, yet their function and location have not been determined. A biochemical analysis was performed on three components: EscN, a predicted cytoplasmic ATPase; EscV, a predicted inner membrane protein; and EscC, a predicted outer membrane secretin. Wild-type EPEC and mutants constructed in these genes were fractionated by lysozyme treatment, ultracentrifugation, and selective detergent extraction. Fractionation revealed that the type III effectors Tir and EspB required a complete type III apparatus for any degree of export by EPEC, suggesting a continuous channel. Epitope-tagged EscC, EscV, and EscN were localized by fractionation, confirming computer modeling predictions for their location. Transcomplementation experiments revealed that localization of EscV and EscN was unaffected by mutations in other examined type III components. Remarkably, localization of EscC was altered in escV or escN mutants, where EscC accumulated in the periplasm. EscC was correctly localized in the escF needle component mutant, indicating that secretin localization is independent of needle formation. These data indicate that, contrary to previous indications, correct insertion and function of EscC secretin in the outer membrane depends not only on the sec-dependent secretion pathway but also on other type III apparatus components.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed2000

Bacterial twin-arginine signal peptide-dependent protein translocation pathway: evolution and mechanism.

The recently identified bacterial Tat pathway is capable of exporting proteins with a peculiar twin-arginine signal peptide in folded conformation independently of the Sec machinery. It is structurally and mechanistically similar to the delta pH-dependent pathway used for importing chloroplast proteins into the thylakoid. The tat genes are not ubiquitously present and are absent from half of the completely sequenced bacterial genomes. The presence of the tat genes seems to correlate with genome size and with the presence of important enzymes with a twin-arginine signal peptide. A minimal Tat system requires a copy of tatA and a copy of tatC. The composition and gene order of a tat locus are generally conserved within the same taxonomy group but vary considerably to other groups, which would exclude an acquisition of the Tat system by recent horizontal gene transfer. The tat genes are also found in the genomes of chloroplasts and plant mitochondria but are absent from animal mitochondrial genomes. The topology of evolution trees suggests a bacterial origin of the Tat system. In general, the twin-arginine signal peptide is capable of targeting any passenger protein to the Tat pathway. However, a structural signal carried by the mature part of a passenger protein can override targeting information in a signal peptide under certain circumstances. Tat systems show a substrate-Tat component specificity and a species specificity. The pore size of the Tat channel is estimated as being between 5 and 9 nm. Operational models of the Tat system are proposed.

Arginine↗