Early targeting events during membrane protein biogenesis in Escherichia coli

Spatiotemporal kinetics of the SRP pathway in live E. coli cells

Mechanistic details of the signal recognition particle (SRP)-mediated insertion of membrane proteins have been described from decades of in vitro biochemical studies. However, the dynamics of the pathway inside the living cell remain obscure. By combining in vivo single-molecule tracking with numerical modeling and simulated microscopy, we have constructed a quantitative reaction-diffusion model of the SRP cycle. Our results suggest that the SRP-ribosome complex finds its target, the membrane-bound translocon, through a combination of three-dimensional (3D) and 2D diffusional search, together taking on average 750 ms. During this time, the nascent peptide is expected to be elongated only 12 or 13 amino acids, which explains why, in Escherichia coli, no translation arrest is needed to prevent incorrect folding of the polypeptide in the cytosol. We also found that a remarkably high proportion (75%) of SRP bindings to ribosomes occur in the cytosol, suggesting that the majority of target ribosomes bind SRP before reaching the membrane. In combination with the average SRP cycling time, 2.2 s, this result further shows that the SRP pathway is capable of targeting all substrate ribosomes to translocons.

A potential third-order role of the host endoplasmic reticulum as a contact site in interkingdom microbial endosymbiosis and viral infection

The normal functioning of eukaryotic cells depends on the compartmentalization of metabolic processes within specific organelles. Interactions among organelles, such as those between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - considered the largest single structure in eukaryotic cells - and other organelles at membrane contact sites (MCSs) have also been suggested to trigger synergisms, including intracellular immune responses against pathogens. In addition to the ER-endogenous functions and ER-organelle MCSs, we present the perspective of a third-order role of the ER as a host contact site for endosymbiotic microbial non-pathogens and pathogens, from endosymbiont bacteria to parasitic protists and viruses. Although understudied, ER-endosymbiont interactions have been observed in a range of eukaryotic hosts, including protists, plants, algae, and metazoans. Host ER interactions with endosymbionts could be an ER function built from ancient, conserved mechanisms selected for communicating with mutualistic endosymbionts in specific life cycle stages, and they may be exploited by pathogens and parasites. The host ER-'guest' interactome and traits in endosymbiotic biology are briefly discussed. The acknowledgment and understanding of these possible mechanisms might reveal novel evolutionary perspectives, uncover the causes of unexplained cellular disorders and suggest new pharmacological targets.

Co-translational protein targeting in bacteria

About 30% of all bacterial proteins execute their function outside of the cytosol and have to be transported into or across the cytoplasmic membrane. Bacteria use multiple protein transport systems in parallel, but the majority of proteins engage two distinct targeting systems. One is the co-translational targeting by two universally conserved GTPases, the signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor FtsY, which deliver inner membrane proteins to either the SecYEG translocon or the YidC insertase for membrane insertion. The other targeting system depends on the ATPase SecA, which targets secretory proteins, i.e. periplasmic and outer membrane proteins, to SecYEG for their subsequent ATP-dependent translocation. While SRP selects its substrates already very early during their synthesis, the recognition of secretory proteins by SecA is believed to occur primarily after translation termination, i.e. post-translationally. In this review we highlight recent progress on how SRP recognizes its substrates at the ribosome and how the fidelity of the targeting reaction to SecYEG is maintained. We furthermore discuss similarities and differences in the SRP-dependent targeting to either SecYEG or YidC and summarize recent results that suggest that some membrane proteins are co-translationally targeted by SecA.

Co-translational Folding Intermediate Dictates Membrane Targeting of the Signal Recognition Particle Receptor

Much of our knowledge on the function of proteins is deduced from their mature, folded states. However, it is unknown whether partially synthesized nascent protein segments can execute biological functions during translation and whether their premature folding states matter. A recent observation that a nascent chain performs a distinct function, co-translational targeting in vivo, has been made with the Escherichia coli signal recognition particle receptor FtsY, a major player in the conserved pathway of membrane protein biogenesis. FtsY functions as a membrane-associated entity, but very little is known about the mode of its targeting to the membrane. Here we investigated the underlying structural mechanism of the co-translational FtsY targeting to the membrane. Our results show that helices N_2-4, which mediate membrane targeting, form a stable folding intermediate co-translationally that greatly differs from its fold in the mature FtsY. These results thus resolve a long-standing mystery of how the receptor targets the membrane even when deleted of its alleged membrane targeting sequence. The structurally distinct targeting determinant of FtsY exists only co-translationally. Our studies will facilitate further efforts to seek cellular factors required for proper targeting and association of FtsY with the membrane. Moreover, the results offer a hallmark example for how co-translational nascent intermediates may dictate biological functions.

Evidence for a cytoplasmic pool of ribosome-free mRNAs encoding inner membrane proteins in Escherichia coli

Translation-independent mRNA localization represents an emerging concept in cell biology. In Escherichia coli, mRNAs encoding integral membrane proteins (MPRs) are targeted to the membrane where they are translated by membrane associated ribosomes and the produced proteins are inserted into the membrane co-translationally. In order to better understand aspects of the biogenesis and localization of MPRs, we investigated their subcellular distribution using cell fractionation, RNA-seq and qPCR. The results show that MPRs are overrepresented in the membrane fraction, as expected, and depletion of the signal recognition particle-receptor, FtsY reduced the amounts of all mRNAs on the membrane. Surprisingly, however, MPRs were also found relatively abundant in the soluble ribosome-free fraction and their amount in this fraction is increased upon overexpression of CspE, which was recently shown to interact with MPRs. CspE also conferred a positive effect on the membrane-expression of integral membrane proteins. We discuss the possibility that the effects of CspE overexpression may link the intriguing subcellular localization of MPRs to the cytosolic ribosome-free fraction with their translation into membrane proteins and that the ribosome-free pool of MPRs may represent a stage during their targeting to the membrane, which precedes translation.

The intriguing realm of protein biogenesis: Facing the green co-translational protein maturation networks

The ribosome is the cell's protein-making factory, a huge protein-RNA complex, that is essential to life. Determining the high-resolution structures of the stable "core" of this factory was among the major breakthroughs of the past decades, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2009. Now that the mysteries of the ribosome appear to be more traceable, detailed understanding of the mechanisms that regulate protein synthesis includes not only the well-known steps of initiation, elongation, and termination but also the less comprehended features of the co-translational events associated with the maturation of the nascent chains. The ribosome is a platform for co-translational events affecting the nascent polypeptide, including protein modifications, folding, targeting to various cellular compartments for integration into membrane or translocation, and proteolysis. These events are orchestrated by ribosome-associated protein biogenesis factors (RPBs), a group of a dozen or more factors that act as the "welcoming committee" for the nascent chain as it emerges from the ribosome. In plants these factors have evolved to fit the specificity of different cellular compartments: cytoplasm, mitochondria and chloroplast. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge of these factors and their interaction around the exit tunnel of dedicated ribosomes. Particular attention has been accorded to the plant system, highlighting the similarities and differences with other organisms.

Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins): binding proteins for research, diagnostics, and therapy

Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) can recognize targets with specificities and affinities that equal or surpass those of antibodies, but because of their robustness and extreme stability, they allow a multitude of more advanced formats and applications. This review highlights recent advances in DARPin design, illustrates their properties, and gives some examples of their use. In research, they have been established as intracellular, real-time sensors of protein conformations and as crystallization chaperones. For future therapies, DARPins have been developed by advanced, structure-based protein engineering to selectively induce apoptosis in tumors by uncoupling surface receptors from their signaling cascades. They have also been used successfully for retargeting viruses. In ongoing clinical trials, DARPins have shown good safety and efficacy in macular degeneration diseases. These developments all ultimately exploit the high stability, solubility, and aggregation resistance of these molecules, permitting a wide range of conjugates and fusions to be produced and purified.

Model Uracil-Rich RNAs and Membrane Protein mRNAs Interact Specifically with Cold Shock Proteins in Escherichia coli

Are integral membrane protein-encoding mRNAs (MPRs) different from other mRNAs such as those encoding cytosolic mRNAs (CPRs)? This is implied from the emerging concept that MPRs are specifically recognized and delivered to membrane-bound ribosomes in a translation-independent manner. MPRs might be recognized through uracil-rich segments that encode hydrophobic transmembrane helices. To investigate this hypothesis, we designed DNA sequences encoding model untranslatable transcripts that mimic MPRs or CPRs. By utilizing in vitro-synthesized biotinylated RNAs mixed with Escherichia coli extracts, we identified a highly specific interaction that takes place between transcripts that mimic MPRs and the cold shock proteins CspE and CspC, which are normally expressed under physiological conditions. Co-purification studies with E. coli expressing 6His-tagged CspE or CspC confirmed that the specific interaction occurs in vivo not only with the model uracil-rich untranslatable transcripts but also with endogenous MPRs. Our results suggest that the evolutionarily conserved cold shock proteins may have a role, possibly as promiscuous chaperons, in the biogenesis of MPRs.

Genome-wide analysis of thylakoid-bound ribosomes in maize reveals principles of cotranslational targeting to the thylakoid membrane

Chloroplast genomes encode ∼ 37 proteins that integrate into the thylakoid membrane. The mechanisms that target these proteins to the membrane are largely unexplored. We used ribosome profiling to provide a comprehensive, high-resolution map of ribosome positions on chloroplast mRNAs in separated membrane and soluble fractions in maize seedlings. The results show that translation invariably initiates off the thylakoid membrane and that ribosomes synthesizing a subset of membrane proteins subsequently become attached to the membrane in a nuclease-resistant fashion. The transition from soluble to membrane-attached ribosomes occurs shortly after the first transmembrane segment in the nascent peptide has emerged from the ribosome. Membrane proteins whose translation terminates before emergence of a transmembrane segment are translated in the stroma and targeted to the membrane posttranslationally. These results indicate that the first transmembrane segment generally comprises the signal that links ribosomes to thylakoid membranes for cotranslational integration. The sole exception is cytochrome f, whose cleavable N-terminal cpSecA-dependent signal sequence engages the thylakoid membrane cotranslationally. The distinct behavior of ribosomes synthesizing the inner envelope protein CemA indicates that sorting signals for the thylakoid and envelope membranes are distinguished cotranslationally. In addition, the fractionation behavior of ribosomes in polycistronic transcription units encoding both membrane and soluble proteins adds to the evidence that the removal of upstream ORFs by RNA processing is not typically required for the translation of internal genes in polycistronic chloroplast mRNAs.

Stress-induced remodeling of the bacterial proteome

Microorganisms live in fluctuating environments, requiring stress response pathways to resist environmental insults and stress. These pathways dynamically monitor cellular status, and mediate adaptive changes by remodeling the proteome, largely accomplished by remodeling transcriptional networks and protein degradation. The complementarity of fast, specific proteolytic degradation and slower, broad transcriptomic changes gives cells the mechanistic repertoire to dynamically adjust cellular processes and optimize response behavior. Together, this enables cells to minimize the 'cost' of the response while maximizing the ability to survive environmental stress. Here we highlight recent progress in our understanding of transcriptional networks and proteolysis that illustrates the design principles used by bacteria to generate the complex behaviors required to resist stress.

Co-translational membrane association of the Escherichia coli SRP receptor

The signal recognition particle (SRP) receptor is a major player in the pathway of membrane protein biogenesis in all organisms. The receptor functions as a membrane bound entity but very little is known about its targeting to the membrane. Here we demonstrate in vivo that the Escherichia coli SRP receptor targets the membrane co-translationally. This requires emergence from the ribosome of the 4 helix-long N-domain of the receptor of which only helices 2–4 are required for co-translational membrane attachment. The results also suggest that the targeting might be regulated co-translationally. Together, our in vivo studies shed light on the biogenesis of the SRP receptor and its hypothetical role in targeting ribosomes to the Escherichia coli membrane.

mRNA-programmed translation pauses in the targeting of E. coli membrane proteins

In all living organisms, ribosomes translating membrane proteins are targeted to membrane translocons early in translation, by the ubiquitous signal recognition particle (SRP) system. In eukaryotes, the SRP Alu domain arrests translation elongation of membrane proteins until targeting is complete. Curiously, however, the Alu domain is lacking in most eubacteria. In this study, by analyzing genome-wide data on translation rates, we identified a potential compensatory mechanism in E. coli that serves to slow down the translation during membrane protein targeting. The underlying mechanism is likely programmed into the coding sequence, where Shine-Dalgarno-like elements trigger elongation pauses at strategic positions during the early stages of translation. We provide experimental evidence that slow translation during targeting and improves membrane protein production fidelity, as it correlates with better folding of overexpressed membrane proteins. Thus, slow elongation is important for membrane protein targeting in E. coli, which utilizes mechanisms different from the eukaryotic one to control the translation speed.

Interplay between trigger factor and other protein biogenesis factors on the ribosome

Nascent proteins emerging from translating ribosomes in bacteria are screened by a number of ribosome-associated protein biogenesis factors, among them the chaperone trigger factor (TF), the signal recognition particle (SRP) that targets ribosomes synthesizing membrane proteins to the membrane and the modifying enzymes, peptide deformylase (PDF) and methionine aminopeptidase (MAP). Here, we examine the interplay between these factors both kinetically and at equilibrium. TF rapidly scans the ribosomes until it is stabilized on ribosomes presenting TF-specific nascent chains. SRP binding to those complexes is strongly impaired. Thus, TF in effect prevents SRP binding to the majority of ribosomes, except those presenting SRP-specific signal sequences, explaining how the small amount of SRP in the cell can be effective in membrane targeting. PDF and MAP do not interfere with TF or SRP binding to translating ribosomes, indicating that nascent-chain processing can take place before or in parallel with TF or SRP binding.

Central role for RNase YbeY in Hfq-dependent and Hfq-independent small-RNA regulation in bacteria

BACKGROUND

Conceptual parallels exist between bacterial and eukaryotic small-RNA (sRNA) pathways, yet relatively little is known about which protein may recognize and recruit bacterial sRNAs to interact with targets. In eukaryotes, Argonaute (AGO) proteins discharge such functions. The highly conserved bacterial YbeY RNase has structural similarities to the MID domain of AGOs. A limited study had indicated that in Sinorhizobium meliloti the YbeY ortholog regulates the accumulation of sRNAs as well as the target mRNAs, raising the possibility that YbeY may play a previously unrecognized role in bacterial sRNA regulation.

RESULTS

We have applied a multipronged approach of loss-of-function studies, genome-wide mRNA and sRNA expression profiling, pathway analysis, target prediction, literature mining and network analysis to unravel YbeY-dependent molecular responses of E. coli exposed to hydroxyurea (HU). Loss of ybeY function, which results in a marked resistance to HU, had global affects on sRNA-mediated gene expression. Of 54 detectable E. coli sRNAs in our microarray analysis, 30 sRNAs showed a differential expression upon HU stress, of which 28 sRNAs displayed a YbeY-dependent change in expression. These included 12 Hfq-dependent and 16 Hfq-independent sRNAs. We successfully identified at least 57 experimentally inferred sRNA-mRNA relationships. Further applying a 'context likelihood of relatedness' algorithm, we reverse engineered the YbeY-dependent Hfq-dependent sRNA-mRNA network as well as YbeY-dependent Hfq-independent sRNA-mRNA network.

CONCLUSION

YbeY extensively modulates Hfq-dependent and independent sRNA-mRNA interactions. YbeY-dependent sRNAs have central roles in modulating cellular response to HU stress.

Identification of a region within the placental alkaline phosphatase mRNA that mediates p180-dependent targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum

In both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, it has been recently established that mRNAs encoding secreted and membrane proteins can be localized to the surface of membranes via both translation-dependent and RNA element-mediated mechanisms. Previously, we showed that the placental alkaline phosphatase (ALPP) mRNA can be localized to the ER membrane independently of translation, and this localization is mediated by p180, an mRNA receptor present in the ER. In this article, we aimed to identify the cis-acting RNA element in ALPP. Using chimera constructs containing fragments of the ALPP mRNA, we demonstrate that the ER-localizing RNA element is present within the 3' end of the open reading frame and codes for a transmembrane domain. In addition, we show that this region requires p180 for efficient ER anchoring. Taken together, we provide the first insight into the nature of cis-acting ER-localizing RNA elements responsible for localizing mRNAs on the ER in mammalian cells.

Lipid dependencies, biogenesis and cytoplasmic micellar forms of integral membrane sugar transport proteins of the bacterial phosphotransferase system

Permeases of the prokaryotic phosphoenolpyruvate-sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) catalyse sugar transport coupled to sugar phosphorylation. The lipid composition of a membrane determines the activities of these enzyme/transporters as well as the degree of coupling of phosphorylation to transport. We have investigated mechanisms of PTS permease biogenesis and identified cytoplasmic (soluble) forms of these integral membrane proteins. We found that the catalytic activities of the soluble forms differ from those of the membrane-embedded forms. Transport via the latter is much more sensitive to lipid composition than to phosphorylation, and some of these enzymes are much more sensitive to the lipid environment than others. While the membrane-embedded PTS permeases are always dimeric, the cytoplasmic forms are micellar, either monomeric or dimeric. Scattered published evidence suggests that other integral membrane proteins also exist in cytoplasmic micellar forms. The possible functions of cytoplasmic PTS permeases in biogenesis, intracellular sugar phosphorylation and permease storage are discussed.

Translation- and SRP-independent mRNA targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Although mRNAs encoding secreted and membrane proteins are believed to associate with the ER only upon translation, they access the membrane independently of both translational control and the signal recognition particle. Thus, alternate paths exist for RNA delivery to and retention at the ER.

mRNAs encoding secreted/membrane proteins (mSMPs) are believed to reach the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in a translation-dependent manner to confer protein translocation. Evidence exists, however, for translation- and signal recognition particle (SRP)–independent mRNA localization to the ER, suggesting that there are alternate paths for RNA delivery. We localized endogenously expressed mSMPs in yeast using an aptamer-based RNA-tagging procedure and fluorescence microscopy. Unlike mRNAs encoding polarity and secretion factors that colocalize with cortical ER at the bud tip, mSMPs and mRNAs encoding soluble, nonsecreted, nonpolarized proteins localized mainly to ER peripheral to the nucleus (nER). Synthetic nontranslatable uracil-rich mRNAs were also demonstrated to colocalize with nER in yeast. This mRNA–ER association was verified by subcellular fractionation and reverse transcription-PCR, single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization, and was not inhibited upon SRP inactivation. To better understand mSMP targeting, we examined aptamer-tagged USE1, which encodes a tail-anchored membrane protein, and SUC2, which encodes a soluble secreted enzyme. USE1 and SUC2 mRNA targeting was not abolished by the inhibition of translation or removal of elements involved in translational control. Overall we show that mSMP targeting to the ER is both translation- and SRP-independent, and regulated by cis elements contained within the message and trans-acting RNA-binding proteins (e.g., She2, Puf2).

The Not4 RING E3 Ligase: A Relevant Player in Cotranslational Quality Control

The Not4 RING E3 ligase is a subunit of the evolutionarily conserved Ccr4-Not complex. Originally identified in yeast by mutations that increase transcription, it was subsequently defined as an ubiquitin ligase. Substrates for this ligase were characterized in yeast and in metazoans. Interestingly, some substrates for this ligase are targeted for polyubiquitination and degradation, while others instead are stable monoubiquitinated proteins. The former are mostly involved in transcription, while the latter are a ribosomal protein and a ribosome-associated chaperone. Consistently, Not4 and all other subunits of the Ccr4-Not complex are present in translating ribosomes. An important function for Not4 in cotranslational quality control has emerged. In the absence of Not4, the total level of polysomes is reduced. In addition, translationally arrested polypeptides, aggregated proteins, and polyubiquitinated proteins accumulate. Its role in quality control is likely to be related on one hand to its importance for the functional assembly of the proteasome and on the other hand to its association with the RNA degradation machines. Not4 is in an ideal position to signal to degradation mRNAs whose translation has been aborted, and this defines Not4 as a key player in the quality control of newly synthesized proteins.

Partial suppression of Oxa1 mutants by mitochondria-targeted signal recognition particle provides insights into the evolution of the cotranslational insertion systems

The biogenesis of hydrophobic membrane proteins involves their cotranslational membrane integration in order to prevent their unproductive aggregation. In the cytosol of bacteria and eukaryotes, membrane targeting of ribosomes that synthesize membrane proteins is achieved by signal recognition particles (SRPs) and their cognate membrane-bound receptors. As is evident from the genomes of fully sequenced eukaryotes, mitochondria generally lack an SRP system. Instead, mitochondrial ribosomes are physically associated with the protein insertion machinery in the inner membrane. Accordingly, deletion of ribosome-binding sites on the Oxa1 insertase and the Mba1 ribosome receptor in yeast leads to severe defects in cotranslational protein insertion and results in respiration-deficient mutants. In this study, we expressed mitochondria-targeted versions of the bacterial SRP protein Ffh and its receptor FtsY in these yeast mutants. Interestingly, Ffh was found to bind to the large subunit of mitochondrial ribosomes, and could relieve, to some degree, the defect of these insertion mutants. Although FtsY could also bind to mitochondrial membranes, it did not improve membrane protein biogenesis in this strain, presumably because of its inability to interact with Ffh. Hence, mitochondrial ribosomes are still able to interact physically and functionally with the bacterial SRP system. Our observations are consistent with a model according to which the protein insertion system in mitochondria evolved in three steps. The loss of genes for hydrophilic polypeptides (step 1) allowed the development of ribosome-binding sites on membrane proteins (step 2), which finally made the existence of an SRP-mediated system dispensable (step 3).

Dynamic switch of the signal recognition particle from scanning to targeting

Ribosomes synthesizing inner membrane proteins in Escherichia coli are targeted to the membrane by the signal recognition particle (SRP) pathway. By rapid kinetic analysis we show that after initial binding to the ribosome, SRP undergoes dynamic fluctuations in search of additional interactions. Non-translating ribosomes, or ribosomes synthesizing non-membrane proteins, do not provide these contacts, allowing SRPs to dissociate rapidly. A nascent peptide in the exit tunnel stabilizes SRPs in a standby state. Binding to the emerging signal-anchor sequence (SAS) of a nascent membrane protein halts the fluctuations of SRP, resulting in complex stabilization and recruitment of the SRP receptor. We propose a kinetic model where SRP rapidly scans all ribosomes until it encounters a ribosome exposing an SAS. Binding to the SAS switches SRP into the targeting mode, in which dissociation is slow and docking of the SRP receptor is accelerated.

p180 promotes the ribosome-independent localization of a subset of mRNA to the endoplasmic reticulum

The localization of many secretory mRNAs to the endoplasmic reticulum does not require ribosomes or translation, but is instead promoted by p180, an abundant, membrane-bound protein that likely binds directly to mRNA.

In metazoans, the majority of mRNAs coding for secreted and membrane-bound proteins are translated on the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Although the targeting of these transcripts to the surface of the ER can be mediated by the translation of a signal sequence and their maintenance is mediated by interactions between the ribosome and the translocon, it is becoming increasingly clear that additional ER-localization pathways exist. Here we demonstrate that many of these mRNAs can be targeted to, and remain associated with, the ER independently of ribosomes and translation. Using a mass spectrometry analysis of proteins that associate with ER-bound polysomes, we identified putative mRNA receptors that may mediate this alternative mechanism, including p180, an abundant, positively charged membrane-bound protein. We demonstrate that p180 over-expression can enhance the association of generic mRNAs with the ER. We then show that p180 contains a lysine-rich region that can directly interact with RNA in vitro. Finally, we demonstrate that p180 is required for the efficient ER-anchoring of bulk poly(A) and of certain transcripts, such as placental alkaline phosphatase and calreticulin, to the ER. In summary, we provide, to our knowledge, the first mechanistic details for an alternative pathway to target and maintain mRNA at the ER. It is likely that this alternative pathway not only enhances the fidelity of protein sorting, but also localizes mRNAs to various subdomains of the ER and thus contributes to cellular organization.

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode secreted or membrane-bound proteins must be delivered to, and then maintained on, the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These mRNAs encode a short polypeptide that targets the mRNA/ribosome/nascent protein complexes to the ER surface during translation; however, recent studies support the existence of additional ER-localization signals that might be present within the mRNA molecules themselves. Here, we demonstrate that a fraction of these mRNAs, whose encoded proteins are destined for secretion, contain information that targets and anchors them to the ER independently of their encoded polypeptide or their association to ribosomes. We identify proteins on the ER that may serve as receptors for these mRNAs. We then show that one of these candidate membrane-bound receptors, p180, is required for the maintenance of certain mRNAs on the surface of the ER even after their translation into protein is disrupted. We also demonstrate that p180 contains a region that binds directly to RNA and likely mediates the anchoring of mRNA to the ER. Our study thus provides the first mechanistic details of an alternative pathway used to ensure that secretory mRNAs, and their encoded proteins, reach their proper destination in the ER.

Nuclear export as a key arbiter of "mRNA identity" in eukaryotes

Over the past decade, various studies have indicated that most of the eukaryotic genome is transcribed at some level. The pervasiveness of transcription might seem surprising when one considers that only a quarter of the human genome comprises genes (including exons and introns) and less than 2% codes for protein. This conundrum is partially explained by the unique evolutionary pressures that are imposed on species with small population sizes, such as eukaryotes. These conditions promote the expansion of introns and non-functional intergenic DNA, and the accumulation of cryptic transcriptional start sites. As a result, the eukaryotic gene expression machinery must effectively evaluate whether or not a transcript has all the hallmarks of a protein-coding mRNA. If a transcript contains these features, then positive feedback loops are activated to further stimulate its transcription, processing, nuclear export and ultimately, translation. However if a transcript lacks features associated with "mRNA identity", then the RNA is degraded and/or used to inhibit further transcription and translation of the gene. Here we discuss how mRNA identity is assessed by the nuclear export machinery in order to extract meaningful information from the eukaryotic genome. In the process, we provide an explanation of why certain sequences that are enriched in protein-coding genes, such as the signal sequence coding region, promote mRNA nuclear export in vertebrates. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear Transport and RNA Processing.

Folding engineering strategies for efficient membrane protein production in E. coli

Membrane proteins are notoriously difficult to produce at the high levels required for structural and biochemical characterization. Among the various expression systems used to date, the enteric bacterium Escherichia coli remains one of the best characterized and most versatile. However, membrane protein overexpression in E. coli is often accompanied by toxicity and low yields of functional product. Here, we briefly review the involvement of signal recognition particle, trigger factor, and YidC in α-helical membrane protein biogenesis and describe a set of strains, vectors, and chaperone co-expression plasmids that can lead to significant gains in the production of recombinant membrane proteins in E. coli. Methods to quantify membrane proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are also provided.

Biogenesis of inner membrane proteins in Escherichia coli

The inner membrane proteome of the model organism Escherichia coli is composed of inner membrane proteins, lipoproteins and peripherally attached soluble proteins. Our knowledge of the biogenesis of inner membrane proteins is rapidly increasing. This is in particular true for the early steps of biogenesis - protein targeting to and insertion into the membrane. However, our knowledge of inner membrane protein folding and quality control is still fragmentary. Furthering our knowledge in these areas will bring us closer to understand the biogenesis of individual inner membrane proteins in the context of the biogenesis of the inner membrane proteome of Escherichia coli as a whole. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biogenesis/Assembly of Respiratory Enzyme Complexes.

Is there a twist in the Escherichia coli signal recognition particle pathway?

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are usually synthesized by membrane-bound ribosomes, and this process requires proper localization of ribosomes and IMP-encoding transcripts. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of the pathway has not yet been fully established in vivo. The prevailing hypothesis is that ribosomes and transcripts are delivered to the membrane together during IMP translation by the signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor. Here, I discuss an alternative hypothesis that posits that ribosomes and transcripts are targeted separately. Ribosome targeting to the membrane might be mediated by the SRP receptor, rather than by SRP, and IMP-encoding transcripts might be targeted to the membrane in a translation-independent manner. According to this scenario, the SRP executes its essential function on the membrane at a later stage of the targeting pathway.

Signal sequence-independent SRP-SR complex formation at the membrane suggests an alternative targeting pathway within the SRP cycle

Our study reveals an alternative route in the SRP-dependent protein targeting pathway that includes a preassembled, membrane-bound SRP-SR complex. This alternative route is fully sufficient to maintain cell viability in the absence of a soluble SRP.

Protein targeting by the signal recognition particle (SRP) and the bacterial SRP receptor FtsY requires a series of closely coordinated steps that monitor the presence of a substrate, the membrane, and a vacant translocon. Although the influence of substrate binding on FtsY-SRP complex formation is well documented, the contribution of the membrane is largely unknown. In the current study, we found that negatively charged phospholipids stimulate FtsY-SRP complex formation. Phospholipids act on a conserved positively charged amphipathic helix in FtsY and induce a conformational change that strongly enhances the FtsY-lipid interaction. This membrane-bound, signal sequence–independent FtsY-SRP complex is able to recruit RNCs to the membrane and to transfer them to the Sec translocon. Significantly, the same results were also observed with an artificial FtsY-SRP fusion protein, which was tethered to the membrane via a transmembrane domain. This indicates that substrate recognition by a soluble SRP is not essential for cotranslational targeting in Escherichia coli. Our findings reveal a remarkable flexibility of SRP-dependent protein targeting, as they indicate that substrate recognition can occur either in the cytosol via ribosome-bound SRP or at the membrane via a preassembled FtsY-SRP complex.

Lipids trigger a conformational switch that regulates signal recognition particle (SRP)-mediated protein targeting

Co-translational protein targeting to the membrane is mediated by the signal recognition particle and its receptor (FtsY). Their homologous GTPase domains interact at the membrane and form a heterodimer in which both GTPases are activated. The prerequisite for protein targeting is the interaction of FtsY with phospholipids. However, the mechanism of FtsY regulation by phospholipids remained unclear. Here we show that the N terminus of FtsY (A domain) is natively unfolded in solution and define the complete membrane-targeting sequence. We show that the membrane-targeting sequence is highly dynamic in solution, independent of nucleotides and directly responds to the density of anionic phospholipids by a random coil-helix transition. This conformational switch is essential for tethering FtsY to membranes and activates the GTPase for its subsequent interaction with the signal recognition particle. Our results underline the dynamics of lipid-protein interactions and their importance in the regulation of protein targeting and translocation across biological membranes.

Birth, life and death of nascent polypeptide chains

The journey of nascent polypeptides from synthesis at the peptidyl transferase center of the ribosome (“birth”) to full function (“maturity”) involves multiple interactions, constraints, modifications and folding events. Each step of this journey impacts the ultimate expression level and functional capacity of the translated protein. It has become clear that the kinetics of protein translation is predominantly modulated by synonymous codon usage along the mRNA, and that this provides an active mechanism for coordinating the synthesis, maturation and folding of nascent polypeptides. Multiple quality control systems ensure that proteins achieve their native, functional form. Unproductive co-translational folding intermediates that arise during protein synthesis may undergo enhanced interaction with components of these systems, such as chaperones, and/or be subjects of co-translational degradation (“death”). This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the complex co-translational events that accompany the synthesis, maturation, folding and degradation of nascent polypeptide chains.