Export of active green fluorescent protein to the periplasm by the twin-arginine translocase (Tat) pathway in Escherichia coli

Twin arginine translocase pathway and fast-folding lipoprotein biosynthesis in E. coli: interesting implications and applications

Bacterial lipoproteins, an important class of membrane proteins, are generally thought to be translocated in an unfolded state by the well-studied Sec machinery, whereas the role of TAT, meant for folded proteins, is hardly investigated. Using appropriately engineered fast-folding Enhanced Green Fluorescence Protein (EGFP), as a model, here we show that TAT is essential for not only translocating fast-folding lipoprotein but also its lipid modification. EGFP was lipid-modified and targeted to the outer membrane's outer surface with a prototypical TAT signal sequence containing lipobox but not with the lipoprotein or TAT signal sequence. Justifiably signal sequences of many substrate-binding and co-factor-containing lipoproteins contained both TAT-box and lipobox (Shruthi et al., submitted). Cytoplasmic accumulation of unmodified precursors of engineered EGFP in a tatC mutant implicated this TAT-box-recognizing component in lipid-modification. Similar observations reported earlier with Sec components and murein lipoprotein led us to propose that the translocation-competent and translocase-associated (Sec or TAT) precursor form is prerequisite to initiation of lipid-modification in vivo. The above missing links between translocation and lipid modification machineries in vivo is important to our understanding of bacterial lipoprotein biosynthesis and its utility as a protein engineering tool for potent applications in synthetic biology and nanobiotechnology like display, arrays on bacterial surfaces, vaccines and biosensors.

Tat pathway-mediated translocation of the sec pathway substrate protein MexA, an inner membrane component of the MexAB-OprM xenobiotic extrusion pump in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is equipped with the Sec and Tat protein secretion systems, which translocate the xenobiotic transporter MexAB-OprM and the pathogenic factor phospholipase C (PlcH), respectively. When the signal sequence of MexA was replaced with that of PlcH, the hybrid protein was successfully expressed and recovered from the periplasmic fraction, suggesting that the hybrid protein had been translocated across the inner membrane. MexA-deficient cells harboring the plasmid carrying the plcH-mexA fusion gene showed antibiotic resistance comparable to that of the wild-type cells. This result suggested that MexA secreted via the Tat machinery was properly assembled and functioned as a subunit of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump. A mutation was introduced into the chromosomal tatC gene encoding an inner membrane component of the Tat protein secretion machinery in mexA-deficient cells, and they were transformed with the plasmid carrying the plcH-mexA fusion gene. The transformants showed antibiotic susceptibility comparable to that of mexA-deficient cells, indicating that the hybrid protein was not transported to the periplasm. Whole-cell lysate of the mexA-tatC double mutant harboring the plcH-mexA plasmid produced mainly unprocessed PlcH-MexA. The periplasmic fraction showed no detectable anti-MexA antibody-reactive material. On the basis of these results, we concluded that MexA could be translocated across the inner membrane through the Tat pathway and assembled with its cognate partners, MexB and OprM, and that this complex machinery was fully functional. This hybrid protein translocation system has the potential to be a powerful screening tool for antimicrobial agents targeting the Tat system, which is not present in mammalian cells.

Feedback inhibition in the PhoQ/PhoP signaling system by a membrane peptide

The PhoQ/PhoP signaling system responds to low magnesium and the presence of certain cationic antimicrobial peptides. It regulates genes important for growth under these conditions, as well as additional genes important for virulence in many gram-negative pathogens. PhoQ is a sensor kinase that phosphorylates and activates the transcription factor PhoP. Since feedback inhibition is a common theme in stress-response circuits, we hypothesized that some members of the PhoP regulon may play such a role in the PhoQ/PhoP pathway. We therefore screened for PhoP-regulated genes that mediate feedback in this system. We found that deletion of mgrB (yobG), which encodes a 47 amino acid peptide, results in a potent increase in PhoP-regulated transcription. In addition, over-expression of mgrB decreased transcription at both high and low concentrations of magnesium. Localization and bacterial two-hybrid studies suggest that MgrB resides in the inner-membrane and interacts directly with PhoQ. We further show that MgrB homologs from Salmonella typhimurium and Yersinia pestis also repress PhoP-regulated transcription in these organisms. In cell regulatory circuits, feedback has been associated with modulating the induction kinetics and/or the cell-to-cell variability in response to stimulus. Interestingly, we found that elimination of MgrB-mediated feedback did not have a significant effect on the kinetics of reporter protein production and did not decrease the variability in expression among cells. Our results indicate MgrB is a broadly conserved membrane peptide that is a critical mediator of negative feedback in the PhoQ/PhoP circuit. This new regulator may function as a point of control that integrates additional input signals to modulate the activity of this important signaling system.

The proteins PhoQ and PhoP comprise an environmental sensing system that has been extensively studied in numerous bacteria, including Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. The PhoQ/PhoP system is stimulated by conditions of low extracellular magnesium or the presence of certain cationic antimicrobial peptides; and it controls genes, whose protein products protect the cell under these conditions or play other critical roles in regulating the virulence of pathogens. The functions of many members of the PhoP regulon, however, remain uncharacterized. This leaves open the possibility that some PhoP-regulated genes may mediate feedback in this system. Regulatory circuits that allow adaptation to environmental change often make use of negative feedback to achieve the appropriate level of response. To look for negative feedback, we screened knockouts of PhoP-regulated genes in E. coli. We have identified a remarkably small membrane protein of just 47 amino acids that mediates potent negative feedback on the PhoQ/PhoP circuit in E. coli, S. typhimurium, Yersinia pestis, and likely other related bacteria. This represents a striking example of a small, easily-overlooked open reading frame that plays a critical role in regulating a broadly conserved signal transduction pathway.

A robust and extracellular heme-containing peroxidase from Thermobifida fusca as prototype of a bacterial peroxidase superfamily

DyP-type peroxidases comprise a novel superfamily of heme-containing peroxidases which is unrelated to the superfamilies of known peroxidases and of which only a few members have been characterized in some detail. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a DyP-type peroxidase (TfuDyP) from the thermophilic actinomycete Thermobifida fusca. Biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme showed that it is a monomeric, heme-containing, thermostable, and Tat-dependently exported peroxidase. TfuDyP is not only active as dye-decolorizing peroxidase as it also accepts phenolic compounds and aromatic sulfides. In fact, it is able to catalyze enantioselective sulfoxidations, a type of reaction that has not been reported before for DyP-type peroxidases. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to determine the role of two conserved residues. D242 is crucial for catalysis while H338 represents the proximal heme ligand and is essential for heme incorporation. A genome database analysis revealed that DyP-type peroxidases are frequently found in bacterial genomes while they are extremely rare in other organisms. Most of the bacterial homologs are potential cytosolic enzymes, suggesting metabolic roles different from dye degradation. In conclusion, the detailed biochemical characterization reported here contributes significantly to our understanding of these enzymes and further emphasizes their biotechnological potential.

Cotranslocation of methyl parathion hydrolase to the periplasm and of organophosphorus hydrolase to the cell surface of Escherichia coli by the Tat pathway and ice nucleation protein display system

A genetically engineered Escherichia coli strain coexpressing organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) and methyl parathion hydrolase (MPH) was constructed for the first time by cotransforming two compatible plasmids. Since these two enzymes have different substrate specificities, the coexpression strain showed a broader substrate range than strains expressing either one of the hydrolases. To reduce the mass transport limitation of organophosphates (OPs) across the cell membrane, MPH and OPH were simultaneously translocated to the periplasm and cell surface of E. coli, respectively, by employing the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway and ice nucleation protein (INP) display system. The resulting recombinant strain showed sixfold-higher whole-cell activity than the control strain expressing cytosolic OP hydrolases. The correct localization of MPH and OPH was demonstrated by cell fractionation, immunoblotting, and enzyme activity assays. No growth inhibition was observed for the recombinant E. coli strain, and suspended cultures retained almost 100% of the activity over a period of 2 weeks. Owing to its high level of activity and superior stability, the recombinant E. coli strain could be employed as a whole-cell biocatalyst for detoxification of OPs. This strategy of utilizing dual translocation pathways should open up new avenues for cotranslocating multiple functional moieties to different extracytosolic compartments of a bacterial cell.

Inefficient Tat-dependent export of periplasmic amidases in an Escherichia coli strain with mutations in two DedA family genes

The DedA family genes are found in most bacterial genomes. Two of these proteins are Escherichia coli YqjA and YghB, predicted inner membrane proteins of unknown function sharing 61% amino acid identity. The E. coli single deletion mutants are largely without phenotype, but the double mutant (BC202; Delta yqjA::Tet(r) Delta yghB::Kan(r)) is characterized by incomplete cell division, temperature sensitivity, and altered phospholipid levels (K. Thompkins et al., J. Bacteriol. 190:4489-4500, 2008). In this report, we have better characterized the cell division chaining defect of BC202. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching indicates that 58% of the cells in chains are compartmentalized by at least a cytoplasmic membrane. Green fluorescent protein fusions to the cell division proteins FtsZ, ZipA, FtsI, FtsL, and FtsQ are correctly localized to new septation sites in BC202. Periplasmic amidases AmiC and AmiA, secreted by the twin arginine transport (Tat) pathway, are localized to the cytoplasm in BC202. Overexpression of AmiA, AmiC, or AmiB, a periplasmic amidase secreted via the general secretory pathway, restores normal cell division but does not suppress the temperature sensitivity of BC202, indicating that YghB and YqjA may play additional roles in cellular physiology. Strikingly, overexpression of the Tat export machinery (TatABC) results in normal cell division and growth at elevated temperatures. These data collectively suggest that the twin arginine pathway functions inefficiently in BC202, likely due to the altered levels of membrane phospholipids in this mutant. These results underscore the importance of membrane composition in the proper function of the Tat protein export pathway.

A genome-scale proteomic screen identifies a role for DnaK in chaperoning of polar autotransporters in Shigella

Autotransporters are outer membrane proteins that are widely distributed among gram-negative bacteria. Like other autotransporters, the Shigella autotransporter IcsA, which is required for actin assembly during infection, is secreted at the bacterial pole. In the bacterial cytoplasm, IcsA localizes to poles and potential cell division sites independent of the cell division protein FtsZ. To identify bacterial proteins involved in the targeting of IcsA to the pole in the bacterial cytoplasm, we screened a genome-scale library of Escherichia coli proteins tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for those that displayed a localization pattern similar to that of IcsA-GFP in cells that lack functional FtsZ using a strain carrying a temperature-sensitive ftsZ allele. For each protein that mimicked the localization of IcsA-GFP, we tested whether IcsA localization was dependent on the presence of the protein. Although these approaches did not identify a polar receptor for IcsA, the cytoplasmic chaperone DnaK both mimicked IcsA localization at elevated temperatures as a GFP fusion and was required for the localization of IcsA to the pole in the cytoplasm of E. coli. DnaK was also required for IcsA secretion at the pole in Shigella flexneri. The localization of DnaK-GFP to poles and potential cell division sites was dependent on elevated growth temperature and independent of the presence of IcsA or functional FtsZ; native DnaK was found to be enhanced at midcell and the poles. A second Shigella autotransporter, SepA, also required DnaK for secretion, consistent with a role of DnaK more generally in the chaperoning of autotransporter proteins in the bacterial cytoplasm.

Cytoplasmic pH measurement and homeostasis in bacteria and archaea

Of all the molecular determinants for growth, the hydronium and hydroxide ions are found naturally in the widest concentration range, from acid mine drainage below pH 0 to soda lakes above pH 13. Most bacteria and archaea have mechanisms that maintain their internal, cytoplasmic pH within a narrower range than the pH outside the cell, termed "pH homeostasis." Some mechanisms of pH homeostasis are specific to particular species or groups of microorganisms while some common principles apply across the pH spectrum. The measurement of internal pH of microbes presents challenges, which are addressed by a range of techniques under varying growth conditions. This review compares and contrasts cytoplasmic pH homeostasis in acidophilic, neutralophilic, and alkaliphilic bacteria and archaea under conditions of growth, non-growth survival, and biofilms. We present diverse mechanisms of pH homeostasis including cell buffering, adaptations of membrane structure, active ion transport, and metabolic consumption of acids and bases.

Interconvertibility of lipid- and translocon-bound forms of the bacterial Tat precursor pre-SufI

Signal peptides target protein cargos for secretion from the bacterial cytoplasm. These signal peptides contain a tri-partite structure consisting of a central hydrophobic domain (h-domain), and two flanking polar domains. Using a recently developed in vitro transport assay, we report here that a central h-domain position (C17) of the twin arginine translocation (Tat) substrate pre-SufI is especially sensitive to amino acid hydrophobicity. The C17I mutant is transported more efficiently than wild type, whereas charged substitutions completely block transport. Transport efficiency is well-correlated with Tat translocon binding efficiency. The precursor protein also binds to non-Tat components of the membrane, presumably to the lipids. This lipid-bound precursor can be chased through the Tat translocons under conditions of high proton motive force. Thus, the non-Tat bound form of the precursor is a functional intermediate in the transport cycle. This intermediate appears to directly equilibrate with the translocon-bound form of the precursor.

Organophosphate hydrolase in Brevundimonas diminuta is targeted to the periplasmic face of the inner membrane by the twin arginine translocation pathway

A twin arginine translocation (Tat) motif, involved in transport of folded proteins across the inner membrane, was identified in the signal peptide of the membrane-associated organophosphate hydrolase (OPH) of Brevundimonas diminuta. Expression of the precursor form of OPH carrying a C-terminal His tag in an opd-negative background and subsequent immunoblotting with anti-His antibodies showed that only the mature form of OPH associated with the membrane and that the precursor form of OPH was entirely found in the cytoplasm. When OPH was expressed without the signal peptide, most of it remained in the cytoplasm, where it was apparently correctly folded and showed activity comparable to that of the membrane-associated OPH encoded by the wild-type opd gene. Amino acid substitutions in the invariant arginine residues of the Tat signal peptide affected both the processing and localization of OPH, confirming a critical role for the Tat system in membrane targeting of OPH in B. diminuta. The localization of OPH to the periplasmic face of the inner membrane in B. diminuta was demonstrated by proteinase K treatment of spheroplasts and also by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of cells expressing OPH-green fluorescent protein fusions with and without an SsrA tag that targets cytoplasmic proteins to the ClpXP protease.

Self-enhanced accumulation of FtsN at Division Sites and Roles for Other Proteins with a SPOR domain (DamX, DedD, and RlpA) in Escherichia coli cell constriction

Of the known essential division proteins in Escherichia coli, FtsN is the last to join the septal ring organelle. FtsN is a bitopic membrane protein with a small cytoplasmic portion and a large periplasmic one. The latter is thought to form an alpha-helical juxtamembrane region, an unstructured linker, and a C-terminal, globular, murein-binding SPOR domain. We found that the essential function of FtsN is accomplished by a surprisingly small essential domain ((E)FtsN) of at most 35 residues that is centered about helix H2 in the periplasm. (E)FtsN contributed little, if any, to the accumulation of FtsN at constriction sites. However, the isolated SPOR domain ((S)FtsN) localized sharply to these sites, while SPOR-less FtsN derivatives localized poorly. Interestingly, localization of (S)FtsN depended on the ability of cells to constrict and, thus, on the activity of (E)FtsN. This and other results suggest that, compatible with a triggering function, FtsN joins the division apparatus in a self-enhancing fashion at the time of constriction initiation and that its SPOR domain specifically recognizes some form of septal murein that is only transiently available during the constriction process. SPOR domains are widely distributed in bacteria. The isolated SPOR domains of three additional E. coli proteins of unknown function, DamX, DedD, and RlpA, as well as that of Bacillus subtilis CwlC, also accumulated sharply at constriction sites in E. coli, suggesting that septal targeting is a common property of SPORs. Further analyses showed that DamX and, especially, DedD are genuine division proteins that contribute significantly to the cell constriction process.

Overflow of a hyper-produced secretory protein from the Bacillus Sec pathway into the Tat pathway for protein secretion as revealed by proteogenomics

Bacteria secrete numerous proteins into their environment for growth and survival under complex and ever-changing conditions. The highly different characteristics of secreted proteins pose major challenges to the cellular protein export machinery and, accordingly, different pathways have evolved. While the main secretion (Sec) pathway transports proteins in an unfolded state, the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway transports folded proteins. To date, these pathways were believed to act in strictly independent ways. Here, we have employed proteogenomics to investigate the secretion mechanism of the esterase LipA of Bacillus subtilis, using a serendipitously obtained hyper-producing strain. While LipA is secreted Sec-dependently under standard conditions, hyper-produced LipA is secreted predominantly Tat-dependently via an unprecedented overflow mechanism. Two previously identified B. subtilis Tat substrates, PhoD and YwbN, require each a distinct Tat translocase for secretion. In contrast, hyper-produced LipA is transported by both Tat translocases of B. subtilis, showing that they have distinct but overlapping specificities. The identified overflow secretion mechanism for LipA focuses interest on the possibility that secretion pathway choice can be determined by environmental and intracellular conditions. This may provide an explanation for the previous observation that many Sec-dependently transported proteins have potential twin-arginine signal peptides for export via the Tat pathway.

Effects of recombinant protein expression on green fluorescent protein diffusion in Escherichia coli

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching was used to measure the diffusion coefficient of green fluorescent protein (GFP, 27 kDa) in Escherichia coli in the presence or absence of four coexpressed proteins: cytoplasmic maltose binding protein (42 kDa), tau-40 (45 kDa), alpha-synuclein (14 kDa), or calmodulin (17 kDa). The GFP diffusion coefficient remains constant regardless of the type of coexpresseed protein and whether or not the coexpressed protein was induced. We conclude that expression of these soluble proteins has little to no effect on the diffusion of GFP. These results have implications for the utility of in-cell nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Strategies for successful recombinant expression of disulfide bond-dependent proteins in Escherichia coli

Bacteria are simple and cost effective hosts for producing recombinant proteins. However, their physiological features may limit their use for obtaining in native form proteins of some specific structural classes, such as for instance polypeptides that undergo extensive post-translational modifications. To some extent, also the production of proteins that depending on disulfide bridges for their stability has been considered difficult in E. coli.

Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms keep their cytoplasm reduced and, consequently, disulfide bond formation is impaired in this subcellular compartment. Disulfide bridges can stabilize protein structure and are often present in high abundance in secreted proteins. In eukaryotic cells such bonds are formed in the oxidizing environment of endoplasmic reticulum during the export process. Bacteria do not possess a similar specialized subcellular compartment, but they have both export systems and enzymatic activities aimed at the formation and at the quality control of disulfide bonds in the oxidizing periplasm.

This article reviews the available strategies for exploiting the physiological mechanisms of bactera to produce properly folded disulfide-bonded proteins.

Contributions of the transmembrane domain and a key acidic motif to assembly and function of the TatA complex

The twin-arginine translocase (Tat) pathway transports folded proteins across bacterial and thylakoid membranes. In Escherichia coli, a membrane-bound TatA complex, which oligomerizes to form complexes of less than 100 to more than 500 kDa, is considered essential for translocation. We have studied the contributions of various TatA domains to the assembly and function of this heterogeneous TatA complex. The TOXCAT assay was used to analyze the potential contribution of the TatA transmembrane (TM) domain. We observed relatively weak interactions between TatA TM domains, suggesting that the TM domain is not the sole driving force behind oligomerization. A potential hydrogen-bonding role for a TM domain glutamine was also investigated, and it was found that mutation blocks transport at low expression levels, while assembly is unaffected at higher expression levels. Analysis of truncated TatA proteins instead highlighted an acidic motif directly following the TatA amphipathic helix. Mutating these negatively charged residues to apolar uncharged residues completely blocks activity, even at high levels of TatA, and appears to disrupt ordered complex formation.

Export of functional Streptomyces coelicolor alditol oxidase to the periplasm or cell surface of Escherichia coli and its application in whole-cell biocatalysis

Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) alditol oxidase (AldO) is a soluble monomeric flavoprotein in which the flavin cofactor is covalently linked to the polypeptide chain. AldO displays high reactivity towards different polyols such as xylitol and sorbitol. These characteristics make AldO industrially relevant, but full biotechnological exploitation of this enzyme is at present restricted by laborious and costly purification steps. To eliminate the need for enzyme purification, this study describes a whole-cell AldO biocatalyst system. To this end, we have directed AldO to the periplasm or cell surface of Escherichia coli. For periplasmic export, AldO was fused to endogenous E. coli signal sequences known to direct their passenger proteins into the SecB, signal recognition particle (SRP), or Twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway. In addition, AldO was fused to an ice nucleation protein (INP)-based anchoring motif for surface display. The results show that Tat-exported AldO and INP-surface-displayed AldO are active. The Tat-based system was successfully employed in converting xylitol by whole cells, whereas the use of the INP-based system was most likely restricted by lipopolysaccharide LPS in wild-type cells. It is anticipated that these whole-cell systems will be a valuable tool for further biological and industrial exploitation of AldO and other cofactor-containing enzymes.

The Escherichia coli cell division protein and model Tat substrate SufI (FtsP) localizes to the septal ring and has a multicopper oxidase-like structure

The Escherichia coli protein SufI (FtsP) has recently been proposed to be a component of the cell division apparatus. The SufI protein is also in widespread experimental use as a model substrate in studies of the Tat (twin arginine translocation) protein transport system. We have used SufI-GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusions to show that SufI localizes to the septal ring in the dividing cell. We have also determined the structure of SufI by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 1.9 A. SufI is structurally related to the multicopper oxidase superfamily but lacks metal cofactors. The structure of SufI suggests it serves a scaffolding rather than an enzymatic role in the septal ring and reveals regions of the protein likely to be involved in the protein-protein interactions required to assemble SufI at the septal ring.

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) systems from Bacillus subtilis display a conserved mode of complex organization and similar substrate recognition requirements

The twin arginine translocation (Tat) system transports folded proteins across the bacterial plasma membrane. In Gram-negative bacteria, membrane-bound TatABC subunits are all essential for activity, whereas Gram-positive bacteria usually contain only TatAC subunits. In Bacillus subtilis, two TatAC-type systems, TatAdCd and TatAyCy, operate in parallel with different substrate specificities. Here, we show that they recognize similar signal peptide determinants. Both systems translocate green fluorescent protein fused to three distinct Escherichia coli Tat signal peptides, namely DmsA, AmiA and MdoD, and mutagenesis of the DmsA signal peptide confirmed that both Tat pathways recognize similar targeting determinants within Tat signals. Although another E. coli Tat substrate, trimethylamine N-oxide reductase, was translocated by TatAdCd but not by TatAyCy, we conclude that these systems are not predisposed to recognize only specific Tat signal peptides, as suggested by their narrow substrate specificities in B. subtilis. We also analysed complexes involved in the second Tat pathway in B. subtilis, TatAyCy. This revealed a discrete TatAyCy complex together with a separate, homogeneous, approximately 200 kDa TatAy complex. The latter complex differs significantly from the corresponding E. coli TatA complexes, pointing to major structural differences between Tat complexes from Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. Like TatAd, TatAy is also detectable in the form of massive cytosolic complexes.

The twin-arginine signal peptide of Bacillus subtilis YwbN can direct either Tat- or Sec-dependent secretion of different cargo proteins: secretion of active subtilisin via the B. subtilis Tat pathway

Proteins that are produced for commercial purposes in Bacillus subtilis are commonly secreted via the Sec pathway. Despite its high secretion capacity, the secretion of heterologous proteins via the Sec pathway is often unsuccessful. Alternative secretion routes, like the Tat pathway, are therefore of interest. Two parallel Tat pathways with distinct specificities have previously been discovered in B. subtilis. To explore the application potential of these Tat pathways, several commercially relevant or heterologous model proteins were fused to the signal peptides of the known B. subtilis Tat substrates YwbN and PhoD. Remarkably, the YwbN signal peptide directed secretion of active subtilisin, a typical Sec substrate, via the B. subtilis TatAyCy route. In contrast, the same signal peptide directed Tat-independent secretion of the Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase (AmyL). Moreover, the YwbN signal peptide directed secretion of SufI, an Escherichia coli Tat substrate, in a Tat-independent manner, most likely via Sec. Our results suggest that cytoplasmic protein folding prior to translocation is probably a major determinant of Tat-dependent protein secretion in B. subtilis, as is the case with E. coli. We conclude that future applications for the Tat system of B. subtilis will most likely involve commercially interesting proteins that are Sec incompatible.

Secretion and transcriptional regulation of the latex-clearing protein, Lcp, by the rubber-degrading bacterium Streptomyces sp. strain K30

About 22,000 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine- and UV-induced mutants of the rubber-degrading bacterium Streptomyces sp. strain K30 were characterized for the ability to produce clear zones on natural rubber latex overlay agar plates. Thirty-five mutants were defective solely in cleavage of rubber and were phenotypically complemented with the wild-type lcp (latex clearing protein) gene. Sixty-nine mutants exhibited a pleiotropic phenotype and were impaired in utilization of rubber and xylan, indicating that the enzymes responsible for the initial cleavage of these polymers are exported by the same secretion pathway (Q. K. Beg, M. Kapoor, L. Mahajan, and G. S. Hoondal, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 56:326-3381, 2001; U. K. Laemmli, Nature 227:680-685, 1970). Analysis of the amino acid sequence encoded by lcp revealed a twin-arginine motif, indicating that Lcp is a substrate of the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway (K. Dilks, W. Rose, E. Hartmann, and M. Pohlschröder, J. Bacteriol. 185:1478-1483, 2003). A tatC disruption mutant of Streptomyces lividans 10-164 harboring lcp from Streptomyces sp. strain K30 was not capable of forming clear zones on rubber overlay agar plates. Moreover, Lcp and enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion proteins were detected in the supernatant. Using Escherichia coli having the twin-arginine motif in the signal peptide upstream of Lcp, clear evidence that Lcp is secreted was obtained. Transcriptional analysis revealed basal expression of Lcp in glucose-grown cells and that transcription of lcp is obviously induced in the presence of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene). In contrast, oxiB and oxiA, which are located directly downstream of lcp and putatively encode a heteromultimeric aldehyde dehydrogenase oxidizing the primary cleavage products generated by Lcp from poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), were expressed only in the presence of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene). Expression of lcp at a low level is thus required for sensing the polymer in the medium. Rubber degradation products may then induce the transcription of genes coding for enzymes catalyzing the later steps of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) degradation and the transcription of lcp itself. lcp, oxiB, and oxiA seem to constitute an operon, as a polycistronic mRNA comprising these three genes was detected. The transcriptional start site of lcp was mapped 400 bp upstream of the lcp start codon.

Characterization of the traD operon of naphthalene-catabolic plasmid NAH7: a host-range modifier in conjugative transfer

Pseudomonas putida G7 carries a naphthalene-catabolic and self-transmissible plasmid, NAH7, which belongs to the IncP-9 incompatibility group. Adjacent to the putative origin of conjugative transfer (oriT) of NAH7 are three genes, traD, traE, and traF, whose functions and roles in conjugation were previously unclear. These three genes were transcribed monocistronically and thus were designated the traD operon. Mutation of the three genes in the traD operon resulted in 10- to 10(5)-fold decreases in the transfer frequencies of the plasmids from Pseudomonas to Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli and from E. coli to E. coli. On the other hand, the traD operon was essential for the transfer of NAH7 from E. coli to Pseudomonas strains. These results indicated that the traD operon is a host-range modifier in the conjugative transfer of NAH7. The TraD, TraE, and TraF proteins were localized in the cytoplasm, periplasm, and membrane, respectively, in strain G7 cells. Our use of a bacterial two-hybrid assay system showed that TraE interacted in vivo with other essential components for conjugative transfer, including TraB (coupling protein), TraC (relaxase), and MpfH (a channel subunit in the mating pair formation system).

Identification of functional Tat signal sequences in Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is a system used by some bacteria to export proteins out from the cytosol to the cell surface or extracellular environment. A functional Tat pathway exists in the important human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Identification of the substrates exported by the Tat pathway can help define the role that this pathway plays in the physiology and pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis. Here we used a reporter of Tat export, a truncated beta-lactamase, 'BlaC, to experimentally identify M. tuberculosis proteins with functional Tat signal sequences. Of the 13 proteins identified, one lacks the hallmark of a Tat-exported substrate, the twin-arginine dipeptide, and another is not predicted by in silico analysis of the annotated M. tuberculosis genome. Full-length versions of a subset of these proteins were tested to determine if the native proteins are Tat exported. For three proteins, expression in a Deltatat mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis revealed a defect in precursor processing compared to expression in the wild type, indicating Tat export of the full-length proteins. Conversely, two proteins showed no obvious Tat export in M. smegmatis. One of this latter group of proteins was the M. tuberculosis virulence factor phospholipase C (PlcB). Importantly, when tested in M. tuberculosis a different result was obtained and PlcB was exported in a twin-arginine-dependent manner. This suggests the existence of an M. tuberculosis-specific factor(s) for Tat export of a proven virulence protein. It also emphasizes the importance of domains beyond the Tat signal sequence and bacterium-specific factors in determining if a given protein is Tat exported.

The Tat system proofreads FeS protein substrates and directly initiates the disposal of rejected molecules

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system transports folded proteins across the bacterial plasma membrane, including FeS proteins that receive their cofactors in the cytoplasm. We have studied two Escherichia coli Tat substrates, NrfC and NapG, to examine how, or whether, the system exports only correctly folded and assembled FeS proteins. With NrfC, substitutions in even one of four predicted FeS centres completely block export, indicating an effective proofreading activity. The FeS mutants are rapidly degraded but only if they interact with the Tat translocon; they are stable in a tat deletion strain and equally stable in wild-type cells if the signal peptide twin-arginine motif is removed to block targeting. Basically similar results are obtained with NapG. The Tat apparatus thus proofreads these substrates and directly initiates the turnover of rejected molecules. Turnover of mutated FeS substrates is completely dependent on the TatA/E subunits that are believed to be involved in the late stages of translocation, and we propose that partial translocation triggers substrate turnover within an integrated quality control system for FeS proteins.

An amphiphilic region in the cytoplasmic domain of KdpD is recognized by the signal recognition particle and targeted to the Escherichia coli membrane

The sensor protein KdpD of Escherichia coli is composed of a large N-terminal hydrophilic region (aa 1–400), four transmembrane regions (aa 401–498) and a large hydrophilic region (aa 499–894) at the C-terminus. KdpD requires the signal recognition particle (SRP) for its targeting to the membrane. Deletions within KdpD show that the first 50 residues are required for SRP-driven membrane insertion. A fusion protein of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) with KdpD is found localized at the membrane only when SRP is present. The membrane targeting of GFP was not observed when the first 50 KdpD residues were deleted. A truncated mutant of KdpD containing only the first 25 amino acids fused to GFP lost its ability to specifically interact with SRP, whereas a specific interaction between SRP and the first 48 amino acids of KdpD fused to GFP was confirmed by pull-down experiments. Conclusively, a small amphiphilic region of 27 residues within the amino-terminal domain of KdpD (aa 22–48) is recognized by SRP and targets the protein to the membrane. This shows that membrane proteins with a large N-terminal region in the cytoplasm can be membrane-targeted early on to allow co-translational membrane insertion of their distant transmembrane regions.

The twin arginine translocation system contributes to symbiotic colonization of Euprymna scolopes by Vibrio fischeri

In many bacteria, the twin arginine translocation (Tat) system transports folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane, and these proteins can play a role in symbiotic or pathogenic infections. A role for the Vibrio fischeri Tat system was identified during symbiotic colonization of its host Euprymna scolopes, demonstrating a function for the Tat system in host colonization by a member of the Vibrionaceae. Using bioinformatics, mutant analyses, and green fluorescent protein fusions, a set of Tat-targeted proteins in V. fischeri was identified.

The twin-arginine transport system: moving folded proteins across membranes

The Tat (twin-arginine transport) pathway is a protein-targeting system dedicated to the transmembrane translocation of fully folded proteins. This system is highly prevalent in the cytoplasmic membranes of bacteria and archaea, and is also found in the thylakoid membranes of plant chloroplasts and possibly also in the inner membrane of plant mitochondria. Proteins are targeted to a membrane-embedded Tat translocase by specialized N-terminal twin-arginine signal peptides bearing an SRRXFLK amino acid motif. The genes encoding components of the Tat translocase were discovered approx. 10 years ago, and, since then, research in this area has expanded on a global scale. In this review, the key discoveries in this field are summarized, and recent studies of bacterial twin-arginine signal-peptide-binding proteins are discussed.

Identification of protein secretion systems and novel secreted proteins in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae

Background

Proteins secreted by bacteria play an important role in infection of eukaryotic hosts. Rhizobia infect the roots of leguminous plants and establish a mutually beneficial symbiosis. Proteins secreted during the infection process by some rhizobial strains can influence infection and modify the plant defence signalling pathways. The aim of this study was to systematically analyse protein secretion in the recently sequenced strain Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841.

Results

Similarity searches using defined protein secretion systems from other Gram-negative bacteria as query sequences revealed that R. l. bv. viciae 3841 has ten putative protein secretion systems. These are the general export pathway (GEP), a twin-arginine translocase (TAT) secretion system, four separate Type I systems, one putative Type IV system and three Type V autotransporters. Mutations in genes encoding each of these (except the GEP) were generated, but only mutations affecting the PrsDE (Type I) and TAT systems were observed to affect the growth phenotype and the profile of proteins in the culture supernatant. Bioinformatic analysis and mass fingerprinting of tryptic fragments of culture supernatant proteins identified 14 putative Type I substrates, 12 of which are secreted via the PrsDE, secretion system. The TAT mutant was defective for the symbiosis, forming nodules incapable of nitrogen fixation.

Conclusion

None of the R. l. bv. viciae 3841 protein secretion systems putatively involved in the secretion of proteins to the extracellular space (Type I, Type IV, Type V) is required for establishing the symbiosis with legumes. The PrsDE (Type I) system was shown to be the major route of protein secretion in non-symbiotic cells and to secrete proteins of widely varied size and predicted function. This is in contrast to many Type I systems from other bacteria, which typically secrete specific substrates encoded by genes often localised in close proximity to the genes encoding the secretion system itself.

A minimal Tat system from a gram-positive organism: a bifunctional TatA subunit participates in discrete TatAC and TatA complexes

The Tat system transports folded proteins across bacterial and thylakoid membranes. In Gram-negative organisms, a TatABC substrate-binding complex and separate TatA complex are believed to coalesce to form an active translocon, with all three subunits essential for translocation. Most Gram-positive organisms lack a tatB gene, indicating major differences in organization and possible differences in mode of action. Here, we have studied Tat complexes encoded by the tatAdCd genes of Bacillus subtilis. Expression of tatAdCd in an Escherichia coli tat null mutant results in efficient export of a large, cofactor-containing E. coli Tat substrate, TorA. We show that the tatAd gene complements E. coli mutants lacking either tatAE or tatB, indicating a bifunctional role for this subunit in B. subtilis. Second, we have identified and characterized two distinct Tat complexes that are novel in key respects: a TatAdCd complex of approximately 230 kDa that is significantly smaller than the analogous E. coli TatABC complex (approximately 370 kDa on BN gels) and a separate TatAd complex. The latter is a discrete entity of approximately 270 kDa as judged by gel filtration chromatography, very different from the highly heterogeneous E. coli TatA complex that ranges in size from approximately 50 kDa to over 600 kDa. TatA heterogeneity has been linked to the varying size of Tat substrates being translocated, but the singular nature of the B. subtilis TatAd complex suggests that discrete TatAC and TatA complexes may form a single form of translocon.

Two electrical potential-dependent steps are required for transport by the Escherichia coli Tat machinery

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway in Escherichia coli transports fully folded and assembled proteins across the energy-transducing periplasmic membrane. In chloroplasts, Tat transport requires energy input only from the proton motive force. To elucidate the mechanism and energetics of bacterial Tat protein transport, we developed an efficient in vitro transport assay using TatABC-enriched inverted membrane vesicles and the physiological precursor pre-SufI. We report transport efficiencies of 60–80% for nanomolar pre-SufI concentrations. Dissipation of the pH gradient does not reduce pre-SufI transport efficiency. Instead, pre-SufI transport requires at least two electrical potential (Δψ)–dependent steps that differ in both the duration and minimum magnitude of the required Δψ. The data are consistent with a model in which a substantial Δψ of short duration is required for an early transport step, and in which a small Δψ of long duration is necessary to drive a later transport step.

The chloroplast Tat pathway utilizes the transmembrane electric potential as an energy source

The thylakoid membrane, located inside the chloroplast, requires proteins transported across it for plastid biogenesis and functional photosynthetic electron transport. The chloroplast Tat translocator found on thylakoids transports proteins from the plastid stroma to the thylakoid lumen. Previous studies have shown that the chloroplast Tat pathway is independent of NTP hydrolysis as an energy source and instead depends on the thylakoid transmembrane proton gradient to power protein translocation. Because of its localization on the same membrane as the proton motive force-dependent F(0)F(1) ATPase, we believed that the chloroplast Tat pathway also made use of the thylakoid electric potential for transporting substrates. By adjusting the rate of photosynthetic proton pumping and by utilizing ionophores, we show that the chloroplast Tat pathway can also utilize the transmembrane electric potential for protein transport. Our findings indicate that the chloroplast Tat pathway is likely dependent on the total protonmotive force (PMF) as an energy source. As a protonmotive-dependent device, certain predictions can be made about structural features expected to be found in the Tat translocon, specifically, the presence of a proton well, a device in the membrane that converts electrical potential into chemical potential.

Functional Tat transport of unstructured, small, hydrophilic proteins

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system is a protein translocation system that is adapted to the translocation of folded proteins across biological membranes. An understanding of the folding requirements for Tat substrates is of fundamental importance for the elucidation of the transport mechanism. We now demonstrate for the first time Tat transport for fully unstructured proteins, using signal sequence fusions to naturally unfolded FG repeats from the yeast Nsp1p nuclear pore protein. The transport of unfolded proteins becomes less efficient with increasing size, consistent with only a single interaction between the system and the substrate. Strikingly, the introduction of six residues from the hydrophobic core of a globular protein completely blocked translocation. Physiological data suggest that hydrophobic surface patches abort transport at a late stage, most likely by membrane interactions during transport. This study thus explains the observed restriction of the Tat system to folded globular proteins on a molecular level.

The trans-envelope Tol-Pal complex is part of the cell division machinery and required for proper outer-membrane invagination during cell constriction in E. coli

Fission of bacterial cells involves the co-ordinated invagination of the envelope layers. Invagination of the cytoplasmic membrane (IM) and peptidoglycan (PG) layer is likely driven by the septal ring organelle. Invagination of the outer membrane (OM) in Gram-negative species is thought to occur passively via its tethering to the underlying PG layer with generally distributed PG-binding OM (lipo)proteins. The Tol-Pal system is energized by proton motive force and is well conserved in Gram-negative bacteria. It consists of five proteins that can connect the OM to both the PG and IM layers via protein-PG and protein-protein interactions. Although the system is needed to maintain full OM integrity, and for class A colicins and filamentous phages to enter cells, its precise role has remained unclear. We show that all five components accumulate at constriction sites in Escherichia coli and that mutants lacking an intact system suffer delayed OM invagination and contain large OM blebs at constriction sites and cell poles. We propose that Tol-Pal constitutes a dynamic subcomplex of the division apparatus in Gram-negative bacteria that consumes energy to establish transient trans-envelope connections at/near the septal ring to draw the OM onto the invaginating PG and IM layers during constriction.

pH of the cytoplasm and periplasm of Escherichia coli: rapid measurement by green fluorescent protein fluorimetry

Cytoplasmic pH and periplasmic pH of Escherichia coli cells in suspension were observed with 4-s time resolution using fluorimetry of TorA-green fluorescent protein mutant 3* (TorA-GFPmut3*) and TetR-yellow fluorescent protein. Fluorescence intensity was correlated with pH using cell suspensions containing 20 mM benzoate, which equalizes the cytoplasmic pH with the external pH. When the external pH was lowered from pH 7.5 to 5.5, the cytoplasmic pH fell within 10 to 20 s to pH 5.6 to 6.5. Rapid recovery occurred until about 30 s after HCl addition and was followed by slower recovery over the next 5 min. As a control, KCl addition had no effect on fluorescence. In the presence of 5 to 10 mM acetate or benzoate, recovery from external acidification was diminished. Addition of benzoate at pH 7.0 resulted in cytoplasmic acidification with only slow recovery. Periplasmic pH was observed using TorA-GFPmut3* exported to the periplasm through the Tat system. The periplasmic location of the fusion protein was confirmed by the observation that osmotic shock greatly decreased the periplasmic fluorescence signal by loss of the protein but had no effect on the fluorescence of the cytoplasmic protein. Based on GFPmut3* fluorescence, the pH of the periplasm equaled the external pH under all conditions tested, including rapid acid shift. Benzoate addition had no effect on periplasmic pH. The cytoplasmic pH of E. coli was measured with 4-s time resolution using a method that can be applied to any strain construct, and the periplasmic pH was measured directly for the first time.

Modified penicillin acylase signal peptide allows the periplasmic production of soluble human interferon-γ but not of soluble human interleukin-2 by the Tat pathway in Escherichia coli

Production of periplasmic human interferon-gamma (hINF-gamma) and human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) by the Tat translocation pathway in Escherichia coli BL21-SI was evaluated. The expression was obtained using the pEMR vector which contains the Tat-dependent modified penicillin acylase signal peptide (mSPpac) driven by the T7 promoter. The mSPpac-hINF-gamma was processed and the protein was transported to periplasm. Up to 30.1% of hINF-gamma was found in the periplasmic soluble fraction, whereas only 15% of the mSPpac-hIL-2 was processed, but hIL-2 was not found in the periplasmic soluble fraction.

The twin-arginine translocation system and its capability for protein secretion in biotechnological protein production

The biotechnological production of recombinant proteins is challenged by processes that decrease the yield, such as protease action, aggregation, or misfolding. Today, the variation of strains and vector systems or the modulation of inducible promoter activities is commonly used to optimize expression systems. Alternatively, aggregation to inclusion bodies may be a desired starting point for protein isolation and refolding. The discovery of the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system for folded proteins now opens new perspectives because in most cases, the Tat machinery does not allow the passage of unfolded proteins. This feature of the Tat system can be exploited for biotechnological purposes, as expression systems may be developed that ensure a virtually complete folding of a recombinant protein before purification. This review focuses on the characteristics that make recombinant Tat systems attractive for biotechnology and discusses problems and possible solutions for an efficient translocation of folded proteins.

Comparative analysis of twin-arginine (Tat)-dependent protein secretion of a heterologous model protein (GFP) in three different Gram-positive bacteria

In contrast to the general protein secretion (Sec) system, the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) export pathway allows the translocation of proteins across the bacterial plasma membrane in a fully folded conformation. Due to this feature, the Tat pathway provides an attractive alternative to the secretory production of heterologous proteins via the Sec system. In this study, the potential for Tat-dependent heterologous protein secretion was compared in the three Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus carnosus, Bacillus subtilis, and Corynebacterium glutamicum using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a model protein. In all three microorganisms, fusion of a Tat signal peptide to GFP resulted in its Tat-dependent translocation across the corresponding cytoplasmic membranes. However, striking differences with respect to the final localization and folding status of the exported GFP were observed. In S. carnosus, GFP was trapped entirely in the cell wall and not released into the supernatant. In B. subtilis, GFP was secreted into the supernatant, however, in an inactive form. In contrast, C. glutamicum effectively secreted active GFP. Our results clearly demonstrate that a comparative evaluation of different Gram-positive host microorganisms is a crucial step on the way to an efficient Tat-mediated secretory production process for a desired heterologous target protein.

A scFv antibody mutant isolated in a genetic screen for improved export via the twin arginine transporter pathway exhibits faster folding

Proteins destined for export across the cytoplasmic membrane via the post-translational Sec-dependent route have to be maintained in a largely unfolded state within the cytoplasm. In sharp contrast, only proteins that have folded into a native-like state within the cytoplasm are competent for export via the twin arginine translocation (Tat) pathway. Proteins that contain disulfide bonds, such as scFv antibody fragments, can be translocated via Tat only when expressed in Escherichia coli trxB gor mutant strains having an oxidizing cytoplasm. However, export is poor with the majority of the protein accumulating in the cytoplasm and only a fraction exported to the periplasmic space. Using a high throughput fluorescence screen, we isolated a mutant of the anti-digoxin 26-10 scFv from a large library of random mutants that is exported with a higher yield into the periplasm. In vitro refolding experiments revealed that the mutant scFv exhibits a 250% increase in the rate constant of the critical second phase of folding. This result suggests that Tat export competence is related to the protein folding rate and could be exploited for the isolation of faster folding protein mutants.

An essential role for the DnaK molecular chaperone in stabilizing over-expressed substrate proteins of the bacterial twin-arginine translocation pathway

All secreted proteins in Escherichia coli must be maintained in an export-competent state before translocation across the inner membrane. In the case of the Sec pathway, this function is carried out by the dedicated SecB chaperone and the general chaperones DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE and GroEL-GroES, whose job collectively is to render substrate proteins partially or entirely unfolded before engagement of the translocon. To determine whether these or other general molecular chaperones are similarly involved in the translocation of folded proteins through the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system, we screened a collection of E. coli mutant strains for their ability to transport a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter through the Tat pathway. We found that the molecular chaperone DnaK was essential for cytoplasmic stability of GFP bearing an N-terminal Tat signal peptide, as well as for numerous other recombinantly expressed endogenous and heterologous Tat substrates. Interestingly, the stability conferred by DnaK did not require a fully functional Tat signal as substrates bearing translocation defective twin lysine substitutions in the consensus Tat motif were equally unstable in the absence of DnaK. These findings were corroborated by crosslinking experiments that revealed an in vivo association between DnaK and a truncated version of the Tat substrate trimethylamine N-oxide reductase (TorA502) bearing an RR or a KK signal peptide. Since TorA502 lacks nine molybdo-cofactor ligands essential for cofactor attachment, the involvement of DnaK is apparently independent of cofactor acquisition. Finally, we show that the stabilizing effects of DnaK can be exploited to increase the expression and translocation of Tat substrates under conditions where the substrate production level exceeds the capacity of the Tat translocase. This latter observation is expected to have important consequences for the use of the Tat system in biotechnology applications where high levels of periplasmic expression are desirable.

The proteome of the heterocyst cell wall in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is a filamentous cyanobacterium that serves as a model to analyze prokaryotic cell differentiation, evolutionary development of plastids, and the regulation of nitrogen fixation. The cell wall is the cellular structure in contact with the surrounding medium. To understand the dynamics of the cell wall proteome during cell differentiation, the cell wall from Anabaena heterocysts was enriched and analyzed. In line with the recently proposed continuity of the outer membrane along the Anabaena filament, most of the proteins identified in the heterocyst cell-wall fraction are also present in the cell wall of vegetative cells, even though the lipid content of both membranes is different.

The bacterial twin-arginine translocation pathway

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is responsible for the export of folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria. Substrates for the Tat pathway include redox enzymes requiring cofactor insertion in the cytoplasm, multimeric proteins that have to assemble into a complex prior to export, certain membrane proteins, and proteins whose folding is incompatible with Sec export. These proteins are involved in a diverse range of cellular activities including anaerobic metabolism, cell envelope biogenesis, metal acquisition and detoxification, and virulence. The Escherichia coli translocase consists of the TatA, TatB, and TatC proteins, but little is known about the precise sequence of events that leads to protein translocation, the energetic requirements, or the mechanism that prevents the export of misfolded proteins. Owing to the unique characteristics of the pathway, it holds promise for biotechnological applications.

N-linked glycosylation of folded proteins by the bacterial oligosaccharyltransferase

N-linked protein glycosylation is found in all domains of life. In eukaryotes, it is the most abundant protein modification of secretory and membrane proteins, and the process is coupled to protein translocation and folding. We found that in bacteria, N-glycosylation can occur independently of the protein translocation machinery. In an in vitro assay, bacterial oligosaccharyltransferase glycosylated a folded endogenous substrate protein with high efficiency and folded bovine ribonuclease A with low efficiency. Unfolding the eukaryotic substrate greatly increased glycosylation. We propose that in the bacterial system, glycosylation sites are located in flexible parts of folded proteins, whereas the eukaryotic cotranslational glycosylation evolved to a mechanism presenting the substrate in a flexible form before folding.