Lysine 106 of the putative catalytic ATP-binding site of the Bacillus subtilis SecA protein is required for functional complementation of Escherichia coli secA mutants in vivo

Lipids Activate SecA for High Affinity Binding to the SecYEG Complex

Protein translocation across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane is an essential process catalyzed predominantly by the Sec translocase. This system consists of the membrane-embedded protein-conducting channel SecYEG, the motor ATPase SecA, and the heterotrimeric SecDFyajC membrane protein complex. Previous studies suggest that anionic lipids are essential for SecA activity and that the N terminus of SecA is capable of penetrating the lipid bilayer. The role of lipid binding, however, has remained elusive. By employing differently sized nanodiscs reconstituted with single SecYEG complexes and comprising varying amounts of lipids, we establish that SecA gains access to the SecYEG complex via a lipid-bound intermediate state, whereas acidic phospholipids allosterically activate SecA for ATP-dependent protein translocation.

Conformational dynamics of the plug domain of the SecYEG protein-conducting channel

The central pore of the SecYEG preprotein-conducting channel is closed at the periplasmic face of the membrane by a plug domain. To study its conformational dynamics, the plug was labeled site-specifically with an environment-sensitive fluorophore. In the presence of a stable preprotein translocation inter-mediate, the SecY plug showed an enhanced solvent exposure consistent with a displacement from the hydrophobic central pore region. In contrast, binding and insertion of a ribosome-bound nascent membrane protein did not alter the plug conformation. These data indicate different plug dynamics depending on the ligand bound state of the SecYEG channel.

Characterization of the nuclear- and plastid-encoded secA-homologous genes in the unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae

SecA is an ATP-driven motor for protein translocation in bacteria and plants. Mycobacteria and listeria were recently found to possess two functionally distinct secA genes. In this study, we found that Cyanidioschyzon merolae, a unicellular red alga, possessed two distinct secA-homologous genes; one encoded in the cell nucleus and the other in the plastid genome. We found that the plastid-encoded SecA homolog showed significant ATPase activity at low temperature, and that the ATPase activity of the nuclear-encoded SecA homolog showed significant activity at high temperature. We propose that the two SecA homologs play different roles in protein translocation.

The Accessory SecA2 System of Mycobacteria Requires ATP Binding and the Canonical SecA1

In bacteria, the majority of exported proteins are transported by the general Sec pathway from their site of synthesis in the cytoplasm across the cytoplasmic membrane. The essential SecA ATPase powers this Sec-mediated export. Mycobacteria possess two nonredundant SecA homologs: SecA1 and SecA2. In pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the nonpathogenic model mycobacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis, SecA1 is essential for protein export and is the "housekeeping" SecA, whereas SecA2 is an accessory SecA that exports a specific subset of proteins. In M. tuberculosis the accessory SecA2 pathway plays a role in virulence. In this study, we uncovered basic properties of the mycobacterial SecA2 protein and its pathway for exporting select proteins. By constructing secA2 mutant alleles that encode proteins defective in ATP binding, we showed that ATP binding is required for SecA2 function. SecA2 mutant proteins unable to bind ATP were nonfunctional and dominant negative. By evaluating the subcellular distribution of each SecA, SecA1 was shown to be equally divided between cytosolic and cell envelope fractions, whereas SecA2 was predominantly localized to the cytosol. Finally, we showed that the canonical SecA1 has a role in the process of SecA2-dependent export. The accessory SecA2 export system is important to the physiology and virulence of mycobacteria. These studies help establish the mechanism of this new type of specialized protein export pathway.

ATPase activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis SecA1 and SecA2 proteins and its importance for SecA2 function in macrophages

The Sec-dependent translocation pathway that involves the essential SecA protein and the membrane-bound SecYEG translocon is used to export many proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Recently, several pathogenic bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, were shown to possess two SecA homologs, SecA1 and SecA2. SecA1 is essential for general protein export. SecA2 is specific for a subset of exported proteins and is important for M. tuberculosis virulence. The enzymatic activities of two SecA proteins from the same microorganism have not been defined for any bacteria. Here, M. tuberculosis SecA1 and SecA2 are shown to bind ATP with high affinity, though the affinity of SecA1 for ATP is weaker than that of SecA2 or Escherichia coli SecA. Amino acid substitution of arginine or alanine for the conserved lysine in the Walker A motif of SecA2 eliminated ATP binding. We used the SecA2(K115R) variant to show that ATP binding was necessary for the SecA2 function of promoting intracellular growth of M. tuberculosis in macrophages. These results are the first to show the importance of ATPase activity in the function of accessory SecA2 proteins.

Sec- and Tat-mediated protein secretion across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane--distinct translocases and mechanisms

In bacteria, two major pathways exist to secrete proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. The general Secretion route, termed Sec-pathway, catalyzes the transmembrane translocation of proteins in their unfolded conformation, whereupon they fold into their native structure at the trans-side of the membrane. The Twin-arginine translocation pathway, termed Tat-pathway, catalyses the translocation of secretory proteins in their folded state. Although the targeting signals that direct secretory proteins to these pathways show a high degree of similarity, the translocation mechanisms and translocases involved are vastly different.

Expression, purification, and characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa SecA

A secA gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was amplified and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21.19 (secA13) under conditions where E. coli SecA was depleted. The binding of P. aeruginosa SecA (PaSecA) to the SP-Sepharose column was facilitated by ammonium sulfate fractionation but was not necessary for E. coli SecA (EcSecA) as the later bound more efficiently. PaSecA and EcSecA were purified by the single chromatographic step to greater than 98% purity and had a recovery of more than 20 and 40%, respectively, from the soluble fraction. This simple step purification obtained a higher homogeneity than previously reported. Cross-reactivity by immunoblotting showed that the purified PaSecA contained little EcSecA if any. The purified PaSecA is a dimer in solution, as judged by size exclusion chromatography, and is slightly larger than its counterpart EcSecA with an estimated molecular weight of 240 kDa. Further studies by the sedimentation velocity method indicate that PaSecA tends to remain as a monomer in solution. The purified PaSecA possessed ATPase activity; the intrinsic and liposome-stimulated ATPase specific activities of PaSecA were approximately 50% of EcSecA.

Cloning, expression, and functional characterization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis secA gene

To better understand the protein secretion mechanisms involved in the growth and pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we examined the secA gene from M. tuberculosis (tbsecA; cosmid sequence accession No. z95121.gb_ba). We generated plasmids containing the full-length tbsecA gene or a fusion containing the 5' sequence from the M. tuberculosis secA gene and the remainder from the Escherichia coli secA gene and evaluated the ability of each construct to complement the defective SecA protein in E. coli MM52ts when grown at the non-permissive temperature. The full-length tbsecA gene was unable to compensate for the temperature-sensitive defect, whereas E. coli MM52ts that has been transformed with plasmid pMF8TB226 containing a chimeric secA gene was able to grow at 42 degrees C. This work confirms that the topography of SecA and its ATP binding sites are highly conserved, whereas its membrane insertion domains are species specific.

Nonspecific adherence and fibril biogenesis by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans: TadA protein is an ATPase

Cells of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, a gram-negative pathogen responsible for an aggressive form of juvenile periodontitis, form tenaciously adherent biofilms on solid surfaces. The bacteria produce long fibrils of bundled pili, which are required for adherence. Mutations in flp-1, which encodes the major subunit of the pili, or any of seven downstream tad genes (tadABCDEFG) cause defects in fibril production, autoaggregation, and tenacious adherence. We proposed that the tad genes specify part of a novel secretion system for the assembly and transport of Flp pili. The predicted amino acid sequence of TadA (426 amino acids, 47,140 Da) contains motifs for nucleotide binding and hydrolysis common among secretion NTP hydrolase (NTPase) proteins. In addition, the tadA gene is the first representative of a distinct subfamily of potential type IV secretion NTPase genes. Here we report studies on the function of TadA. The tadA gene was altered to express a modified version of TadA that has the 11-residue epitope (T7-TAG) fused to its C terminus. The TadA-T7 protein was indistinguishable from the wild type in its ability to complement the fibril and adherence defects of A. actinomycetemcomitans tadA mutants. Although TadA is not predicted to have a transmembrane domain, the protein was localized to the inner membrane and cytoplasmic fractions of A. actinomycetemcomitans cells, indicating a possible peripheral association with the inner membrane. TadA-T7 was purified and found to hydrolyze ATP in vitro. The ATPase activity is stimulated by Triton X-100, with maximal stimulation at the critical micellar concentration. TadA-T7 forms multimers that are stable during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in nonreducing conditions, and electron microscopy revealed that TadA-T7 can form structures closely resembling the hexameric rings of other type IV secretion NTPases. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to substitute Ala and Gln residues for the conserved Lys residue of the Walker A box for nucleotide binding. Both mutants were found to be defective in their ability to complement tadA mutants. We suggest that the ATPase activity of TadA is required to energize the assembly or secretion of Flp pili for tight adherence of A. actinomycetemcomitans.

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.

Signal peptide-dependent protein transport in Bacillus subtilis: a genome-based survey of the secretome

One of the most salient features of Bacillus subtilis and related bacilli is their natural capacity to secrete a variety of proteins into their environment, frequently to high concentrations. This has led to the commercial exploitation of bacilli as major "cell factories" for secreted enzymes. The recent sequencing of the genome of B. subtilis has provided major new impulse for analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein secretion by this organism. Most importantly, the genome sequence has allowed predictions about the composition of the secretome, which includes both the pathways for protein transport and the secreted proteins. The present survey of the secretome describes four distinct pathways for protein export from the cytoplasm and approximately 300 proteins with the potential to be exported. By far the largest number of exported proteins are predicted to follow the major "Sec" pathway for protein secretion. In contrast, the twin-arginine translocation "Tat" pathway, a type IV prepilin-like export pathway for competence development, and ATP-binding cassette transporters can be regarded as "special-purpose" pathways, through which only a few proteins are transported. The properties of distinct classes of amino-terminal signal peptides, directing proteins into the various protein transport pathways, as well as the major components of each pathway are discussed. The predictions and comparisons in this review pinpoint important differences as well as similarities between protein transport systems in B. subtilis and other well-studied organisms, such as Escherichia coli and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thus, they may serve as a lead for future research and applications.

Non-bilayer lipids stimulate the activity of the reconstituted bacterial protein translocase

To determine the phospholipid requirement of the preprotein translocase in vitro, the Escherichia coli SecYEG complex was purified in a delipidated form using the detergent dodecyl maltoside. SecYEG was reconstituted into liposomes composed of defined synthetic phospholipids, and proteoliposomes were analyzed for their preprotein translocation and SecA translocation ATPase activity. The activity strictly required the presence of anionic phospholipids, whereas the non-bilayer lipid phosphatidylethanolamine was found stimulatory. The latter effect could also be induced by dioleoylglycerol, a lipid that adopts a non-bilayer conformation. Phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives that prefer the bilayer state were unable to stimulate translocation. In the absence of SecG, activity was reduced, but the phospholipid requirement was unaltered. Remarkably, non-bilayer lipids were found essential for the activity of the Bacillus subtilis SecYEG complex. Optimal activity required a mixture of anionic and non-bilayer lipids at concentrations that correspond to concentrations found in the natural membrane.

Preprotein translocation by a hybrid translocase composed of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis subunits

Bacterial protein translocation is mediated by translocase, a multisubunit membrane protein complex that consists of a peripheral ATPase SecA and a preprotein-conducting channel with SecY, SecE, and SecG as subunits. Like Escherichia coli SecG, the Bacillus subtilis homologue, YvaL, dramatically stimulated the ATP-dependent translocation of precursor PhoB (prePhoB) by the B. subtilis SecA-SecYE complex. To systematically determine the functional exchangeability of translocase subunits, all of the relevant combinations of the E. coli and B. subtilis secY, secE, and secG genes were expressed in E. coli. Hybrid SecYEG complexes were overexpressed at high levels. Since SecY could not be overproduced without SecE, these data indicate a stable interaction between the heterologous SecY and SecE subunits. E. coli SecA, but not B. subtilis SecA, supported efficient ATP-dependent translocation of the E. coli precursor OmpA (proOmpA) into inner membrane vesicles containing the hybrid SecYEG complexes, if E. coli SecY and either E. coli SecE or E. coli SecG were present. Translocation of B. subtilis prePhoB, on the other hand, showed a strict dependence on the translocase subunit composition and occurred efficiently only with the homologous translocase. In contrast to E. coli SecA, B. subtilis SecA binds the SecYEG complexes only with low affinity. These results suggest that each translocase subunit contributes in an exclusive manner to the specificity and functionality of the complex.

Thermodynamics of nucleotide binding to NBS-I of the Bacillus subtilis preprotein translocase subunit SecA

SecA is the dissociatable nucleotide and preprotein binding subunit of the bacterial translocase. The thermodynamics of nucleotide binding to soluble SecA at nucleotide binding site I were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. Binding of ADP and non-hydrolyzable ATPgammaS is enthalpy-driven (DeltaH(0) of -14.44 and -5.56 kcal/mol, respectively), but is accompanied by opposite entropic contributions (DeltaS(0) of -18.25 and 9.55 cal/mol/K, respectively). ADP binding results in a large change in the heat capacity of SecA (DeltaC(p)=-780 cal/mol/K). It is suggested that ADP binding promotes the interaction between the two thermodynamically discernible domains of SecA which is accompanied by a shielding of hydrophobic surface from solvent.

Differential dependence of levansucrase and alpha-amylase secretion on SecA (Div) during the exponential phase of growth of Bacillus subtilis

SecA, the translocation ATPase of the preprotein translocase, accounts for 0.25% of the total protein in a degU32(Hy) Bacillus subtilis strain in logarithmic phase. The SecA level remained constant irrespective of the demand for exoprotein production but dropped about 12-fold during the late stationary phase. Modulation of the level of functional SecA during the exponential phase of growth affected differently the secretion of levansucrase and alpha-amylase overexpressed under the control of the sacB leader region. The level of SecA was reduced in the presence of sodium azide and in the div341 thermosensitive mutant at nonpermissive temperatures. Overproduction of SecA was obtained with a multicopy plasmid bearing secA. The gradual decrease of the SecA level reduced the yield of secreted levansucrase with a concomitant accumulation of unprocessed precursor in the cells, while an increase in the SecA level resulted in an elevation of the production of exocellular levansucrase. In contrast, alpha-amylase secretion was almost unaffected by high concentrations of sodium azide or by very low levels of SecA. Secretion defects were apparent only under conditions of strong SecA deprivation of the cell. These data demonstrate that the alpha-amylase and levansucrase precursors markedly differ in their dependency on SecA for secretion. It is suggested that these precursors differ in their binding affinities for SecA.

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.

The bacterial SecY/E translocation complex forms channel-like structures similar to those of the eukaryotic Sec61p complex

The SecYEG complex is a major component of the protein translocation apparatus in the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria. We have purified a translocationally active complex of the two subunits, SecY and SecE, from Bacillus subtilis. As demonstrated by electron microscopy, SecY/E forms ring structures in detergent solution and in intact lipid bilayers, often with a quasi-pentagonal appearance in projection. The particles represent oligomeric assemblies of the SecY/E complex and are similar to those formed by the eukaryotic Sec61p complex. We propose that these SecY/E rings represent protein-conducting channels and that the two essential membrane components SecY and SecE are sufficient for their formation.

Temporal expression of the Bacillus subtilis secA gene, encoding a central component of the preprotein translocase

In Bacillus subtilis, the secretion of extracellular proteins strongly increases upon transition from exponential growth to the stationary growth phase. It is not known whether the amounts of some or all components of the protein translocation apparatus are concomitantly increased in relation to the increased export activity. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional organization and temporal expression of the secA gene, encoding a central component of the B. subtilis preprotein translocase. We found that secA and the downstream gene (prfB) constitute an operon that is transcribed from a vegetative (sigmaA-dependent) promoter located upstream of secA. Furthermore, using different independent methods, we found that secA expression occurred mainly in the exponential growth phase, reaching a maximal value almost precisely at the transition from exponential growth to the stationary growth phase. Following to this maximum, the de novo transcription of secA sharply decreased to a low basal level. Since at the time of maximal secA transcription the secretion activity of B. subtilis strongly increases, our results clearly demonstrate that the expression of at least one of the central components of the B. subtilis protein export apparatus is adapted to the increased demand for protein secretion. Possible mechanistic consequences are discussed.

Protein secretion in Streptomyces griseus N2-3-11: characterization of the secA gene and its growth phase-dependent expression

The chromosomal region encoding the secA gene of Streptomyces griseus N2-3-11 was cloned and analyzed. The secA gene encodes a polypeptide of 939 aa with a molecular mass of 105 kDa. The growth defect of temperature sensitive Escherichia coli secA mutants was not restored by the S. griseus SecA. The secA promoter was analyzed and the transcriptional start point of the gene was determined. Northern blot and Western blot analyses revealed a growth phase dependent secA expression. The integration of an additional copy of the S. griseus secA gene into the genome of S. lividans TK23 had no visible effect on the efficiency of protein secretion.

Interaction of SecB with soluble SecA

The preprotein binding molecular chaperone SecB functions by preventing the premature folding of the preprotein in the cytosol, and targeting it to the peripheral subunit SecA of the translocase at the cytoplasmic membrane. The nature of the interaction of SecB with soluble SecA was studied by fluorescence anisotropy spectroscopy of Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy)-labeled SecA in the presence of increasing concentrations of SecB. A more than 50-fold difference in affinity for the cytosolic SecA compared to translocase associated SecA seems to prevent unproductive binding of SecB to the cytosolic SecA and stresses its targeting function.

Comparative characterization of SecA from the alpha-subclass purple bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus and Escherichia coli reveals differences in membrane and precursor specificity

We have cloned the secA gene of the alpha-subclass purple bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus, a close relative to the mitochondrial ancestor, and purified the protein after expression in Escherichia coli. R. capsulatus SecA contains 904 amino acids with 53% identity to E. coli and 54% identity to Caulobacter crescentus SecA. In contrast to the nearly equal partitioning of E. coli SecA between the cytosol and plasma membrane, R. capsulatus SecA is recovered predominantly from the membrane fraction. A SecA-deficient, cell-free synthesis-translocation system prepared from R. capsulatus is used to demonstrate translocation activity of the purified R. capsulatus SecA. This translocation activity is then compared to that of the E. coli counterpart by using various precursor proteins and inside-out membrane vesicles prepared from both bacteria. We find a preference of the R. capsulatus SecA for the homologous membrane vesicles whereas E. coli SecA is active with either type of membrane. Furthermore, the two SecA proteins clearly select between distinct precursor proteins. In addition, we show here for the first time that a bacterial c-type cytochrome utilizes the canonical, Sec-dependent export pathway.

SecA proteins of Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli possess homologous amino-terminal ATP-binding domains regulating integration into the plasma membrane

The Bacillus subtilis secA homolog, div, was cloned and expressed at a variety of different levels in wild-type and secA mutant strains of Escherichia coli. Analysis of Div function showed that it could not substitute for SecA despite being present at a wide range of concentrations at or above the physiological level. Location of regions of functional similarity between the two proteins using div-secA chimeras revealed that only the amino-terminal ATP-binding domain of Div could functionally substitute for the corresponding region of SecA. The role of this domain was revealed by subcellular localization experiments that demonstrated that in both B. subtilis and E. coli Div had cytoplasmic, peripheral, and integral membrane distributions similar to those of its SecA homolog and that an intact ATP-binding domain was essential for regulating integration of this protein into the plasma membrane. These results suggest strongly that the previously observed cycle of membrane binding, insertion, and deinsertion of SecA protein (A. Economou and W. Wickner, Cell 78:835-843, 1994) is common to these two bacteria, and they demonstrate the importance of the conserved ATP-binding domain in promoting this cycle.

Protein transport via amino-terminal targeting sequences: common themes in diverse systems

Many proteins that are synthesized in the cytoplasm of cells are ultimately found in non-cytoplasmic locations. The correct targeting and transport of proteins must occur across bacterial cell membranes, the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and those of mitochondria and chloroplasts. One unifying feature among transported proteins in these systems is the requirement for an amino-terminal targeting signal. Although the primary sequence of targeting signals varies substantially, many patterns involving overall properties are shared. A recent surge in the identification of components of the transport apparatus from many different systems has revealed that these are also closely related. In this review we describe some of the key components of different transport systems and highlight these common features.

Identification of the magnesium-binding domain of the high-affinity ATP-binding site of the Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli SecA protein

The homodimeric SecA protein is the peripheral subunit of the translocase, and couples the hydrolysis of ATP to the translocation of precursor proteins across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. The high affinity ATP binding activity of SecA resides in the amino-terminal domain of SecA. This domain contains a tandem repeat of the "so-called" Walker B-motif, hXhhD (Walker, J.E., Saraste, M., Runswick, M.J., and Gay, N.J. (1982) EMBO J. 1, 945-951), that in combination with motif A is responsible for the Mg(2+)-phosphate protein interaction. Two aspartate residues at positions 207 and 215 of the Bacillus subtilis SecA, and Asp-217 in the Escherichia coli SecA, that could be Mg2+ ion ligands, were individually mutated to an asparagine. Mutant SecA proteins were unable to growth-complement an E. coli secA amber mutant strain, and the E. coli SecA mutant interfered with the translocation of precursor proteins in vivo. B. subtilis mutant SecA proteins were expressed to a high level and purified to homogeneity. The high affinity ATP and Mg(2+)-ion binding activity was reduced in the Asp-207 mutant, and completely lost in the Asp-215 mutant. Both SecA proteins were defective in lipid-stimulated ATPase activity. Proteolytic studies suggest that the two subunits of the mutated dimeric SecA proteins are present in different conformational states. These data suggest that Asp-207 and Asp-215 are involved in the binding of the Mg(2+)-ion when Mg(2+)-ATP is bound to SecA, while Asp-207 fulfills an additional catalytic role, possibly in accepting a proton during catalysis.

Isolation and characterization of a Bacillus subtilis secA mutant allele conferring resistance to sodium azide

A mutation has been isolated in the Bacillus subtilis secA gene (secA10) which allows cell growth and residual protein translocation in the presence of 1.5 mM sodium azide. Besides conferring resistance to sodium azide, the corresponding SecA10 mutant protein, in which glutamic acid at position 338 has been changed to glycine, seems to possess a secretion defect even in the absence of azide. In addition, the secA10 mutant protein was found to be recessive to wild-type secA with regard to azide resistance. Our results strongly suggest that, like the situation in Escherichia coli, the B. subtilis SecA protein is a main target for the lethal action of sodium azide.

SecA homolog in protein transport within chloroplasts: evidence for endosymbiont-derived sorting

The SecA protein is an essential, azide-sensitive component of the bacterial protein translocation machinery. A SecA protein homolog (CPSecA) now identified in pea chloroplasts was purified to homogeneity. CPSecA supported protein transport into thylakoids, the chloroplast internal membrane network, in an azide-sensitive fashion. Only one of three pathways for protein transport into thylakoids uses the CPSecA mechanism. The use of a bacteria-homologous mechanism in intrachloroplast protein transport provides evidence for conservative sorting of proteins within chloroplasts.

Analysis of core sequences in the D-Phe activating domain of the multifunctional peptide synthetase TycA by site-directed mutagenesis

The D-phenylalanine-activating enzyme tyrocidine synthetase I (TycA) from Bacillus brevis ATCC 8185 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and assayed for ATP-PPi exchange and covalent binding of phenylalanine by the thiotemplate mechanism. Amino acid exchanges in four different cores of TycA created by site-directed mutagenesis revealed the amino acid residues involved in aminoacyladenylate formation and in covalent thioester formation. Mutations in the putative ATP-binding site SGTTGKPKG caused a decreased phenylalanine-dependent ATP-PPi exchange activity to 10% of the wild-type level for a Lys-186-to-Arg substitution and an almost complete loss of activity (< 1%) for a Lys-186-to-Thr exchange. Alteration of Asp-401 to Asn in the ATPase motif TGDL of TycA decreased the phenylalanine-dependent ATP-PPi exchange activity to 75% of wild type, while an Asp-401-to-Ser mutation decreased the activity to 10% of the wild-type level. Replacement of Ser-562 in the putative thioester-binding motif LGGDSI to Ala or Gly caused a reduction in trichloroacetic acid-precipitable TycA-[14C]phenylalanine complex to one-third of the wild-type level. However, no cleavable [14C]phenylalanine could be detected after treatment with performic acid, indicating that the resulting mutant was unable to form thioester with phenylalanine. In E. coli, TycA was labeled with beta-[3H]alanine, a precursor of 4'-phosphopantetheine, indicating that TycA is modified with a beta-alanine-containing cofactor.

Molecular characterization of PulE, a protein required for pullulanase secretion

pulE, one of 14 genes specifically required for pullulanase secretion in Klebsiella oxytoca, codes for a putative nucleotide-binding protein. Subcellular fractionation indicated that the majority of PulE in Escherichia coli cells expressing all 14 secretion genes is mainly associated with the cytoplasmic membrane through both hydrophobic and non-hydrophobic interactions. Mutational analysis revealed that one of the two regions of PulE that are conserved in many nucleotide-binding proteins (Walker box A) is essential for pullulanase secretion. Likewise, mutations that removed aspartate residues from each of two regions immediately downstream from the Walker box A also reduced secretion. These aspartate-rich regions are highly conserved in all 16 known PulE homologues but not in any other nucleotide-binding proteins. Altogether, these results indicate that PulE might belong to a new family of nucleotide-binding proteins. The protein could not be cross-linked to the photoactivatable ATP analogue azido-ATP, however. Most pulE point or deletion mutations which prevented pullulanase secretion exhibited transdominance when expressed at high levels in cells producing wild-type PulE protein. Evidence presented suggests that PulE might be a homodimer.

The Staphylococcus carnosus secE gene: cloning, nucleotide sequence, and functional characterization in Escherichia coli secE mutant strains

A DNA fragment containing the genes secE, nusG and rplK of Staphylococcus carnsosus was cloned using the Escherichia coli rplK gene as a probe. The S. carnosus secE homologue encodes a protein of 65 amino acid residues which is homologous to the carboxyl-terminal region of the E. coli SecE protein. The S. carnosus SecE polypeptide which, in contrast to the E. coli SecE protein, contains only one putative transmembrane segment, could fully replace the E. coli SecE protein in two different secE mutants. These results strongly suggest that the identified secE gene encodes an important component of the S. carnosus protein export apparatus.

Bioenergetic aspects of the translocation of macromolecules across bacterial membranes

Bacteria are extremely versatile in the sense that they have gained the ability to transport all three major classes of biopolymers through their cell envelope: proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are translocated across membranes in a large number of cellular processes by specific translocation systems. Members of the ABC (ATP binding cassette) superfamily of transport ATPases are involved in the translocation of all three classes of macromolecules, in addition to unique transport ATPases. An intriguing aspect of these transport processes is that the barrier function of the membrane is preserved despite the fact the dimensions of the translocated molecules by far surpasses the thickness of the membrane. This raises questions like: How are these polar compounds translocated across the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, through a proteinaceous pore or through the lipid phase; what drives these macromolecules across the membrane; which energy sources are used and how is unidirectionality achieved? It is generally believed that macromolecules are translocated in a more or less extended, most likely linear form. A recurring theme in the bioenergetics of these translocation reactions in bacteria is the joint involvement of free energy input in the form of ATP hydrolysis and via proton sym- or antiport, driven by a proton gradient. Important similarities in the bioenergetic mechanisms of the translocation of these biopolymers therefore may exist.

Two distinct ATP-binding domains are needed to promote protein export by Escherichia coli SecA ATPase

Six putative ATP-binding motifs of SecA protein were altered by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to try to define the ATP-binding regions of this multifunctional protein. The effects of the mutations were analysed by genetic and biochemical assays. The results show that SecA contains two essential ATP-binding domains. One domain is responsible for high-affinity ATP binding and contains motifs A0 and B0, located at amino acid residues 102-109 and 198-210, respectively. A second domain is responsible for low-affinity ATP binding and contains motifs A3 and a predicted B motif located at amino acid residues 503-511 and 631-653, respectively. The ATP-binding properties of both domains were essential for SecA-dependent translocation ATPase and in vitro protein translocation activities. The significance of these findings for the mechanism of SecA-dependent protein translocation is discussed.

An outer membrane protein (OmpA) of Escherichia coli can be translocated across the cytoplasmic membrane of Bacillus subtilis

The translocation of secretory proteins derived from a Gram-positive (Staphylococcus hyicus prolipase) or a Gram-negative (Escherichia coli pre-OmpA protein) bacterium across the cytoplasmic membrane was studied in E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. In both microorganisms, the prolipase was found to be secreted across the plasma membrane when either the pre-prolipase signal peptide (38 amino acids in length) or the pre-OmpA signal peptide (21 amino acids in length) was used. Expression of the gene encoding the authentic pre-OmpA protein in B. subtilis resulted in the translocation of mature OmpA protein across the plasma membrane. Processing of the OmpA precursor in B. subtilis required the electrochemical potential and was sensitive to sodium azide, suggesting that the B. subtilis SecA homologue was involved in the translocation process. The mature OmpA protein, which was most likely present in an aggregated state, was fully accessible to proteases in protoplasted cells. Therefore, our results clearly demonstrate that an outer membrane protein can be secreted by B. subtilis, supporting the notion that the basic mechanism of protein translocation is highly conserved in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.