A colicin M derivative containing the lipoprotein signal sequence is secreted and renders the colicin M target accessible from inside the cells

Import of periplasmic bacteriocins targeting the murein

Colicins are the only proteins imported by Escherichia coli and thus serve as tools to study the protein import mechanism. Most of the colicins studied degrade DNA, 16S RNA or tRNA in the cytoplasm, or form pores in the cytoplasmic membrane. Two bacteriocins, Cma (colicin M) and Pst (pesticin), affect the murein structure in the periplasm. These two bacteriocins must be imported only across the outer membrane and therefore represent the simplest system for studying protein import. Cma can be reversibly translocated across the outer membrane. Cma and Pst unfold during import. The crystal structure of Pst reveals a phage T4L (T4 lysozyme) fold of the activity domain. Both bacteriocins require energy for import which is translocated from the cytoplasmic membrane into the outer membrane by the Ton system. Cma kills cells only when the periplasmic FkpA PPIase (peptidylprolyl cis–trans isomerase)/chaperone is present.

Activation of colicin M by the FkpA prolyl cis-trans isomerase/chaperone

Colicin M (Cma) is specifically imported into the periplasm of Escherichia coli and kills the cells. Killing depends on the periplasmic peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase/chaperone FkpA. To identify the Cma prolyl bonds targeted by FkpA, we replaced the 15 proline residues individually with alanine. Seven mutant proteins were fully active; Cma(P129A), Cma(P176A), and Cma(P260A) displayed 1%, and Cma(P107A) displayed 10% of the wild-type activity. Cma(P107A), Cma(P129A), and Cma(P260A), but not Cma(P176A), killed cells after entering the periplasm via osmotic shock, indicating that the former mutants were translocation-deficient; Cma(P129A) did not bind to the FhuA outer membrane receptor. The crystal structures of Cma and Cma(P176A) were identical, excluding inactivation of the activity domain located far from Pro-176. In a new peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase assay, FkpA isomerized the Cma prolyl bond in peptide Phe-Pro-176 at a high rate, but Lys-Pro-107 and Leu-Pro-260 isomerized at only <10% of that rate. The four mutant proteins secreted into the periplasm via a fused signal sequence were toxic but much less than wild-type Cma. Wild-type and mutant Cma proteins secreted or translocated across the outer membrane by energy-coupled import or unspecific osmotic shock were only active in the presence of FkpA. We propose that Cma unfolds during transfer across the outer or cytoplasmic membrane and refolds to the active form in the periplasm assisted by FkpA. Weak refolding of Cma(P176A) would explain its low activity in all assays. Of the four proline residues identified as being important for Cma activity, Phe-Pro-176 is most likely targeted by FkpA.

Colicins: structures, modes of action, transfer through membranes, and evolution

This article intends to inform a broader audience on a fascinating class of protein toxins (bacteriocins) which usually kill only cells of the same species. Those who gained a deeper interest in bacteriocins can find a comprehensive description of the field in a recent book based on a conference (James et al. 1992), and in more specialized review articles dealing with certain aspects (Pugsley 1984a, b), or certain colicins (De Graaf and Oudega 1986; Harkness and Olschläger 1991; Lazdunski et al. 1988). The older literature has been reviewed by Brandis and Smarda (1971), Reeves (1972), Hardy (1975) and Konisky (1982).