1
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Kamel M, Löwe M, Schott-Verdugo S, Gohlke H, Kedrov A. Unsaturated fatty acids augment protein transport via the SecA:SecYEG translocon. FEBS J 2021; 289:140-162. [PMID: 34312977 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The translocon SecYEG and the associated ATPase SecA form the primary protein secretion system in the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria. The secretion is essentially dependent on the surrounding lipids, but the mechanistic understanding of their role in SecA : SecYEG activity is sparse. Here, we reveal that the unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) of the membrane phospholipids, including tetraoleoyl-cardiolipin, stimulate SecA : SecYEG-mediated protein translocation up to ten-fold. Biophysical analysis and molecular dynamics simulations show that UFAs increase the area per lipid and cause loose packing of lipid head groups, where the N-terminal amphipathic helix of SecA docks. While UFAs do not affect the translocon folding, they promote SecA binding to the membrane, and the effect is enhanced up to fivefold at elevated ionic strength. Tight SecA : lipid interactions convert into the augmented translocation. Our results identify the fatty acid structure as a notable factor in SecA : SecYEG activity, which may be crucial for protein secretion in bacteria, which actively change their membrane composition in response to their habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kamel
- Synthetic Membrane Systems, Institute for Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maryna Löwe
- Synthetic Membrane Systems, Institute for Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stephan Schott-Verdugo
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany.,John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC), Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Bioinformatics), and Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany
| | - Holger Gohlke
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany.,John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC), Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Bioinformatics), and Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-4: Bioinformatics), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany
| | - Alexej Kedrov
- Synthetic Membrane Systems, Institute for Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
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2
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Koch S, Exterkate M, López CA, Patro M, Marrink SJ, Driessen AJM. Two distinct anionic phospholipid-dependent events involved in SecA-mediated protein translocation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1861:183035. [PMID: 31394098 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein translocation across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane is an essential process catalyzed by the Sec translocase, which in its minimal form consists of the protein-conducting channel SecYEG, and the motor ATPase SecA. SecA binds via its positively charged N-terminus to membranes containing anionic phospholipids, leading to a lipid-bound intermediate. This interaction induces a conformational change in SecA, resulting in a high-affinity association with SecYEG, which initiates protein translocation. Here, we examined the effect of anionic lipids on the SecA-SecYEG interaction in more detail, and discovered a second, yet unknown, anionic lipid-dependent event that stimulates protein translocation. Based on molecular dynamics simulations we identified an anionic lipid-enriched region in vicinity of the lateral gate of SecY. Here, the anionic lipid headgroup accesses the lateral gate, thereby stabilizing the pre-open state of the channel. The simulations suggest flip-flop movement of phospholipid along the lateral gate. Electrostatic contribution of the anionic phospholipids at the lateral gate may directly stabilize positively charged residues of the signal sequence of an incoming preprotein. Such a mechanism allows for the correct positioning of the entrant peptide, thereby providing a long-sought explanation for the role of anionic lipids in signal sequence folding during protein translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Koch
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Marten Exterkate
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Cesar A López
- Department of Molecular Dynamics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands; Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM, USA.
| | - Megha Patro
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Siewert J Marrink
- Department of Molecular Dynamics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Arnold J M Driessen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
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3
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Gumbart JC, Ulmschneider MB, Hazel A, White SH, Ulmschneider JP. Computed Free Energies of Peptide Insertion into Bilayers are Independent of Computational Method. J Membr Biol 2018; 251:345-356. [PMID: 29520628 PMCID: PMC6030508 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-018-0026-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
We show that the free energy of inserting hydrophobic peptides into lipid bilayer membranes from surface-aligned to transmembrane inserted states can be reliably calculated using atomistic models. We use two entirely different computational methods: high temperature spontaneous peptide insertion calculations as well as umbrella sampling potential-of-mean-force (PMF) calculations, both yielding the same energetic profiles. The insertion free energies were calculated using two different protein and lipid force fields (OPLS protein/united-atom lipids and CHARMM36 protein/all-atom lipids) and found to be independent of the simulation parameters. In addition, the free energy of insertion is found to be independent of temperature for both force fields. However, we find major difference in the partitioning kinetics between OPLS and CHARMM36, likely due to the difference in roughness of the underlying free energy surfaces. Our results demonstrate not only a reliable method to calculate insertion free energies for peptides, but also represent a rare case where equilibrium simulations and PMF calculations can be directly compared.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stephen H White
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jakob P Ulmschneider
- Department of Physics and the Institute of Natural Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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4
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Koch S, de Wit JG, Vos I, Birkner JP, Gordiichuk P, Herrmann A, van Oijen AM, Driessen AJM. Lipids Activate SecA for High Affinity Binding to the SecYEG Complex. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:22534-22543. [PMID: 27613865 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.743831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein translocation across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane is an essential process catalyzed predominantly by the Sec translocase. This system consists of the membrane-embedded protein-conducting channel SecYEG, the motor ATPase SecA, and the heterotrimeric SecDFyajC membrane protein complex. Previous studies suggest that anionic lipids are essential for SecA activity and that the N terminus of SecA is capable of penetrating the lipid bilayer. The role of lipid binding, however, has remained elusive. By employing differently sized nanodiscs reconstituted with single SecYEG complexes and comprising varying amounts of lipids, we establish that SecA gains access to the SecYEG complex via a lipid-bound intermediate state, whereas acidic phospholipids allosterically activate SecA for ATP-dependent protein translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Koch
- From the Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials and
| | - Janny G de Wit
- From the Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials and
| | - Iuliia Vos
- From the Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials and
| | - Jan Peter Birkner
- the Single-molecule Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pavlo Gordiichuk
- the Polymer Chemistry and Bioengineering, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands, and
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- the Polymer Chemistry and Bioengineering, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands, and
| | - Antoine M van Oijen
- the Single-molecule Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.,the School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Arnold J M Driessen
- From the Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials and
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5
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Prabudiansyah I, Kusters I, Caforio A, Driessen AJ. Characterization of the annular lipid shell of the Sec translocon. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:2050-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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6
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Kedrov A, Kusters I, Driessen AJM. Single-Molecule Studies of Bacterial Protein Translocation. Biochemistry 2013; 52:6740-54. [DOI: 10.1021/bi400913x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexej Kedrov
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747
AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ilja Kusters
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747
AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J. M. Driessen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen
Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747
AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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7
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Gumbart JC, Teo I, Roux B, Schulten K. Reconciling the roles of kinetic and thermodynamic factors in membrane-protein insertion. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:2291-7. [PMID: 23298280 PMCID: PMC3573731 DOI: 10.1021/ja310777k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
For the vast majority of membrane proteins, insertion
into a membrane
is not direct, but rather is catalyzed by a protein-conducting channel,
the translocon. This channel provides a lateral exit into the bilayer
while simultaneously offering a pathway into the aqueous lumen. The
determinants of a nascent protein’s choice between these two
pathways are not comprehensively understood, although both energetic
and kinetic factors have been observed. To elucidate the specific
roles of some of these factors, we have carried out extensive all-atom
molecular dynamics simulations of different nascent transmembrane
segments embedded in a ribosome-bound bacterial translocon, SecY.
Simulations on the μs time scale reveal a spontaneous motion
of the substrate segment into the membrane or back into the channel,
depending on its hydrophobicity. Potential of mean force (PMF) calculations
confirm that the observed motion is the result of local free-energy
differences between channel and membrane. Based on these and other
PMFs, the time-dependent probability of membrane insertion is determined
and is shown to mimic a two-state partition scheme with an apparent
free energy that is compressed relative to the molecular-level PMFs.
It is concluded that insertion kinetics underlies the experimentally
observed thermodynamic partitioning process.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Gumbart
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30363, USA
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8
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Lycklama A Nijeholt JA, Wu ZC, Driessen AJM. Conformational dynamics of the plug domain of the SecYEG protein-conducting channel. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:43881-43890. [PMID: 22033919 PMCID: PMC3243504 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.297507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Revised: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The central pore of the SecYEG preprotein-conducting channel is closed at the periplasmic face of the membrane by a plug domain. To study its conformational dynamics, the plug was labeled site-specifically with an environment-sensitive fluorophore. In the presence of a stable preprotein translocation inter-mediate, the SecY plug showed an enhanced solvent exposure consistent with a displacement from the hydrophobic central pore region. In contrast, binding and insertion of a ribosome-bound nascent membrane protein did not alter the plug conformation. These data indicate different plug dynamics depending on the ligand bound state of the SecYEG channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelger A Lycklama A Nijeholt
- Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology institute, and the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Zht Cheng Wu
- Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology institute, and the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J M Driessen
- Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology institute, and the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
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9
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A single copy of SecYEG is sufficient for preprotein translocation. EMBO J 2011; 30:4387-97. [PMID: 21897368 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2011.314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterotrimeric SecYEG complex comprises a protein-conducting channel in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. SecYEG functions together with the motor protein SecA in preprotein translocation. Here, we have addressed the functional oligomeric state of SecYEG when actively engaged in preprotein translocation. We reconstituted functional SecYEG complexes labelled with fluorescent markers into giant unilamellar vesicles at a natively low density. Förster's resonance energy transfer and fluorescence (cross-) correlation spectroscopy with single-molecule sensitivity allowed for independent observations of the SecYEG and preprotein dynamics, as well as complex formation. In the presence of ATP and SecA up to 80% of the SecYEG complexes were loaded with a preprotein translocation intermediate. Neither the interaction with SecA nor preprotein translocation resulted in the formation of SecYEG oligomers, whereas such oligomers can be detected when enforced by crosslinking. These data imply that the SecYEG monomer is sufficient to form a functional translocon in the lipid membrane.
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10
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Kusters I, Mukherjee N, de Jong MR, Tans S, Koçer A, Driessen AJM. Taming membranes: functional immobilization of biological membranes in hydrogels. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20435. [PMID: 21655266 PMCID: PMC3105061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Single molecule studies on membrane proteins embedded in their native environment are hampered by the intrinsic difficulty of immobilizing elastic and sensitive biological membranes without interfering with protein activity. Here, we present hydrogels composed of nano-scaled fibers as a generally applicable tool to immobilize biological membrane vesicles of various size and lipid composition. Importantly, membrane proteins immobilized in the hydrogel as well as soluble proteins are fully active. The triggered opening of the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) reconstituted in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) was followed in time on single GUVs. Thus, kinetic studies of vectorial transport processes across biological membranes can be assessed on single, hydrogel immobilized, GUVs. Furthermore, protein translocation activity by the membrane embedded protein conducting channel of bacteria, SecYEG, in association with the soluble motor protein SecA was quantitatively assessed in bulk and at the single vesicle level in the hydrogel. This technique provides a new way to investigate membrane proteins in their native environment at the single molecule level by means of fluorescence microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilja Kusters
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Nobina Mukherjee
- Department of Membrane Enzymology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Armağan Koçer
- Department of Membrane Enzymology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arnold J. M. Driessen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, AG Groningen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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11
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SecA, a remarkable nanomachine. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:2053-66. [PMID: 21479870 PMCID: PMC3101351 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0681-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2011] [Revised: 03/22/2011] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Biological cells harbor a variety of molecular machines that carry out mechanical work at the nanoscale. One of these nanomachines is the bacterial motor protein SecA which translocates secretory proteins through the protein-conducting membrane channel SecYEG. SecA converts chemically stored energy in the form of ATP into a mechanical force to drive polypeptide transport through SecYEG and across the cytoplasmic membrane. In order to accommodate a translocating polypeptide chain and to release transmembrane segments of membrane proteins into the lipid bilayer, SecYEG needs to open its central channel and the lateral gate. Recent crystal structures provide a detailed insight into the rearrangements required for channel opening. Here, we review our current understanding of the mode of operation of the SecA motor protein in concert with the dynamic SecYEG channel. We conclude with a new model for SecA-mediated protein translocation that unifies previous conflicting data.
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12
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du Plessis DJF, Nouwen N, Driessen AJM. The Sec translocase. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2010; 1808:851-65. [PMID: 20801097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Revised: 08/19/2010] [Accepted: 08/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The vast majority of proteins trafficking across or into the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane occur via the translocon. The translocon consists of the SecYEG complex that forms an evolutionarily conserved heterotrimeric protein-conducting membrane channel that functions in conjunction with a variety of ancillary proteins. For posttranslational protein translocation, the translocon interacts with the cytosolic motor protein SecA that drives the ATP-dependent stepwise translocation of unfolded polypeptides across the membrane. For the cotranslational integration of membrane proteins, the translocon interacts with ribosome-nascent chain complexes and membrane insertion is coupled to polypeptide chain elongation at the ribosome. These processes are assisted by the YidC and SecDF(yajC) complex that transiently interacts with the translocon. This review summarizes our current understanding of the structure-function relationship of the translocon and its interactions with ancillary components during protein translocation and membrane protein insertion. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Protein translocation across or insertion into membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J F du Plessis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9751NN Haren, The Netherlands
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13
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Junne T, Kocik L, Spiess M. The hydrophobic core of the Sec61 translocon defines the hydrophobicity threshold for membrane integration. Mol Biol Cell 2010; 21:1662-70. [PMID: 20357000 PMCID: PMC2869373 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e10-01-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutation of the apolar constriction of the yeast Sec61 translocon to polar or charged residues, while retaining functionality, affected the integration of potential transmembrane segments into the lipid bilayer. This indicates that the translocon plays an active role in setting the hydrophobicity threshold for membrane integration. The Sec61 translocon mediates the translocation of proteins across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and the lateral integration of transmembrane segments into the lipid bilayer. The structure of the idle translocon is closed by a lumenal plug domain and a hydrophobic constriction ring. To test the function of the apolar constriction, we have mutated all six ring residues of yeast Sec61p to more hydrophilic, bulky, or even charged amino acids (alanines, glycines, serines, tryptophans, lysines, or aspartates). The translocon was found to be surprisingly tolerant even to the charge mutations in the constriction ring, because growth and translocation efficiency were not drastically affected. Most interestingly, ring mutants were found to affect the integration of hydrophobic sequences into the lipid bilayer, indicating that the translocon does not simply catalyze the partitioning of potential transmembrane segments between an aqueous environment and the lipid bilayer but that it also plays an active role in setting the hydrophobicity threshold for membrane integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Junne
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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14
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Gumbart J, Trabuco LG, Schreiner E, Villa E, Schulten K. Regulation of the protein-conducting channel by a bound ribosome. Structure 2010; 17:1453-64. [PMID: 19913480 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2009.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2009] [Revised: 09/13/2009] [Accepted: 09/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
During protein synthesis, it is often necessary for the ribosome to form a complex with a membrane-bound channel, the SecY/Sec61 complex, in order to translocate nascent proteins across a cellular membrane. Structural data on the ribosome-channel complex are currently limited to low-resolution cryo-electron microscopy maps, including one showing a bacterial ribosome bound to a monomeric SecY complex. Using that map along with available atomic-level models of the ribosome and SecY, we have determined, through molecular dynamics flexible fitting (MDFF), an atomic-resolution model of the ribosome-channel complex. We characterized computationally the sites of ribosome-SecY interaction within the complex and determined the effect of ribosome binding on the SecY channel. We also constructed a model of a ribosome in complex with a SecY dimer by adding a second copy of SecY to the MDFF-derived model. The study involved 2.7-million-atom simulations over altogether nearly 50 ns.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Gumbart
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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15
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Mandon EC, Trueman SF, Gilmore R. Translocation of proteins through the Sec61 and SecYEG channels. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2009; 21:501-7. [PMID: 19450960 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2009.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2009] [Revised: 04/15/2009] [Accepted: 04/16/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The Sec61 and SecYEG translocation channels mediate the selective transport of proteins across the endoplasmic reticulum and bacterial inner membrane, respectively. These channels are also responsible for the integration of membrane proteins. To accomplish these two critical events in protein expression, the transport channels undergo conformational changes to permit the export of lumenal domains and the integration of transmembrane spans. Novel insight into how these channels open during protein translocation has been provided by a combination of the analysis of new channel structures, biochemical characterization of translocation intermediates, molecular dynamics simulations, and in vivo and in vitro analysis of structure-based Sec61 and SecY mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet C Mandon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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16
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du Plessis DJF, Berrelkamp G, Nouwen N, Driessen AJM. The lateral gate of SecYEG opens during protein translocation. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:15805-14. [PMID: 19366685 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m901855200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The SecYEG translocon of Escherichia coli mediates the translocation of preproteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Here, we have examined the role of the proposed lateral gate of the translocon in translocation. A dual cysteine cross-linking approach allowed the introduction of cross-linker arms of various lengths between adjoining aminoacyl positions of transmembrane segments 2b and 7 of the lateral gate. Oxidation and short spacer linkers that fix the gate in the closed state abolished preprotein translocation, whereas long spacer linkers support translocation. The cross-linking data further suggests that SecYEG lateral gate opening and activation of the SecA ATPase are coupled processes. It is concluded that lateral gate opening is a critical step during SecA-dependent protein translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J F du Plessis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands
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17
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Gumbart J, Schulten K. The roles of pore ring and plug in the SecY protein-conducting channel. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 132:709-19. [PMID: 19001142 PMCID: PMC2585858 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.200810062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The protein-conducting channel, or translocon, is an evolutionarily conserved complex that allows nascent proteins to cross a cellular membrane or integrate into it. The crystal structure of an archaeal translocon, the SecY complex, revealed that two elements contribute to sealing the channel: a small "plug" domain blocking the periplasmic region of the channel, and a pore ring composed of six hydrophobic residues acting as a constriction point at the channel's center. To determine the independent functions of these two elements, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations of the native channel as well as of two recently structurally resolved mutants in which portions of their plugs were deleted. We find that in the mutants, the instability in the plug region leads to a concomitant increase in flexibility of the pore ring. The instability is quantified by the rate of water permeation in each system as well as by the force required for oligopeptide translocation. Through a novel simulation in which the interactions between the plug and water were independently controlled, we find that the role of the plug in stabilizing the pore ring is significantly more important than its role as a purely steric barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Gumbart
- Department of Physics and Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Alder NN, Jensen RE, Johnson AE. Fluorescence mapping of mitochondrial TIM23 complex reveals a water-facing, substrate-interacting helix surface. Cell 2008; 134:439-50. [PMID: 18692467 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2008] [Revised: 04/29/2008] [Accepted: 06/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Protein translocation across the mitochondrial inner membrane is mediated by the TIM23 complex. While its central component, Tim23, is believed to form a protein-conducting channel, the regions of this subunit that face the imported protein are unknown. To examine Tim23 structure and environment in intact membranes at high resolution, various derivatives, each with a single, environment-sensitive fluorescent probe positioned at a specific site, were assembled into functional TIM23 complexes in active mitochondria and analyzed by multiple spectral techniques. Probes placed sequentially throughout a transmembrane region that was identified by crosslinking as part of the protein-conducting channel revealed an alpha helix in an amphipathic environment. Probes on the aqueous-facing helical surface specifically underwent spectral changes during protein import, and their accessibility to hydrophilic quenching agents is considered in terms of channel gating. This approach has therefore provided an unprecedented view of a translocon channel structure in an intact, fully operational, membrane-embedded complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan N Alder
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA
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