Modulation of the spc operon affects growth and protein secretion in Bacillus subtilis

SecA is required for membrane targeting of the cell division protein DivIVA in vivo

The conserved protein DivIVA is involved in different morphogenetic processes in Gram-positive bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis, the protein localizes to the cell division site and cell poles, and functions as a scaffold for proteins that regulate division site selection, and for proteins that are required for sporulation. To identify other proteins that bind to DivIVA, we performed an in vivo cross-linking experiment. A possible candidate that emerged was the secretion motor ATPase SecA. SecA mutants have been described that inhibit sporulation, and since DivIVA is necessary for sporulation, we examined the localization of DivIVA in these mutants. Surprisingly, DivIVA was delocalized, suggesting that SecA is required for DivIVA targeting. To further corroborate this, we performed SecA depletion and inhibition experiments, which provided further indications that DivIVA localization depends on SecA. Cell fractionation experiments showed that SecA is important for binding of DivIVA to the cell membrane. This was unexpected since DivIVA does not contain a signal sequence, and is able to bind to artificial lipid membranes in vitro without support of other proteins. SecA is required for protein secretion and membrane insertion, and therefore its role in DivIVA localization is likely indirect. Possible alternative roles of SecA in DivIVA folding and/or targeting are discussed.

Gene replacement of adenylate kinase in the gram-positive thermophile Geobacillus stearothermophilus disrupts adenine nucleotide homeostasis and reduces cell viability

Thermophilic bacteria are of great value for industry and research communities. Unfortunately, the cellular processes and mechanisms of these organisms remain largely understudied. In the present study, we investigate how the inactivation of adenylate kinase (AK) affects the adenine nucleotide homeostasis of a gram-positive moderate thermophile, Geobacillus stearothermophilus strain NUB3621-R. AK plays a major role in the adenine nucleotide homeostasis of living cells and has been shown to be essential for the gram-negative mesophile Escherichia coli. To study the role of AK in the maintenance of adenylate energy charge (EC) and cell viability of G. stearothermophilus, we generated a recombinant strain of this organism in which its endogenous gene coding for the essential protein adenylate kinase (AK) has been replaced with the adk gene from the mesophile Bacillus subtilis. PCR, DNA sequencing and Southern analysis were performed to confirm proper gene replacement and preservation of neighboring genes. The highest growing temperature for recombinant cells was almost 20 degrees C lower than for wild-type cells (56 vs. 75 degrees C). This temperature-sensitive phenotype was secondary to heat inactivation of B. subtilis AK, as evidenced by enzyme activity assays and EC measurements. At higher temperatures (65 degrees C), recombinant cells also had lower EC values (0.09) compared to wild-type cells (0.45), which reflects a disruption of adenine nucleotide homeostasis following AK inactivation.

The carboxyl terminus of the Bacillus subtilis SecA is dispensable for protein secretion and viability

The Escherichia coli secretion-dedicated chaperone SecB targets a subset of proteins to the translocase by interacting with the carboxyl (C-) terminus of SecA. This region of SecA is highly conserved in Eubacteria, but despite its presence in the Bacillus subtilis SecA, the B. subtilis genome does not appear to contain a gene for a clear homologue of SecB. Deletion of the C-terminus of the B. subtilis SecA yields cells that have normal viability, but that exhibit a response reminiscent of oxidative stress and the loss of a number of secretory proteins from the culture supernatant. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR demonstrates that these proteins are expressed at lower levels. The C-terminus of SecA fused to glutathione S:-transferase (GST) specifically binds a cytosolic protein, termed MrgA. This protein has been reported to function in relation to oxidative stress, but deletion of the mrgA gene does not result in a secretion defect nor does it cause an oxidative stress response. It is concluded that the C-terminus of the B. subtilis SecA is not essential for secretion and viability.

Functional identification of the product of the Bacillus subtilis yvaL gene as a SecG homologue

Protein export in Escherichia coli is mediated by translocase, a multisubunit membrane protein complex with SecA as the peripheral subunit and the SecY, SecE, and SecG proteins as the integral membrane domain. In the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, SecA, SecY, and SecE have been identified through genetic analysis. Sequence comparison of the Bacillus chromosome identified a potential homologue of SecG, termed YvaL. A chromosomal disruption of the yvaL gene results in mild cold sensitivity and causes a beta-lactamase secretion defect. The cold sensitivity is exacerbated by overexpression of the secretory protein alpha-amylase, whereas growth and beta-lactamase secretion are restored by coexpression of yvaL or the E. coli secG gene. These results indicate that the yvaL gene codes for a protein that is functionally homologous to SecG.

A cell-free protein translocation system prepared entirely from a gram-positive organism

A cell-free protein translocation system derived exclusively from a Gram-positive bacterium is described here for the first time. Highly efficient in vitro synthesis of plasmid encoded preprolipase of Staphylococcus hyicus is accomplished by coupled transcription/translation using either a cytosolic extract of S. carnosus alone or in combination with T7-RNA-polymerase. Addition of inside-out cytoplasmic membrane vesicles of S. carnosus leads to the partial conversion (processing) of preprolipase to prolipase. In addition, as shown in a protease protection assay, a significant part of preprolipase plus prolipase is translocated in vitro into the lumen of the vesicles. Translocation of preprolipase into the membrane vesicles requires the proton-motive force and the S. carnosus SecA protein.