An unusual signal peptide extension inhibits the binding of bacterial presecretory proteins to the signal recognition particle, trigger factor, and the SecYEG complex

Considerable evidence indicates that the Escherichia coli signal recognition particle (SRP) selectively targets proteins that contain highly hydrophobic signal peptides to the SecYEG complex cotranslationally. Presecretory proteins that contain only moderately hydrophobic signal peptides typically interact with trigger factor (TF) and are targeted post-translationally. Here we describe a striking exception to this rule that has emerged from the analysis of an unusual 55-amino acid signal peptide associated with the E. coli autotransporter EspP. The EspP signal peptide consists of a C-terminal domain that resembles a classical signal peptide plus an N-terminal extension that is conserved in other autotransporter signal peptides. Although a previous study showed that proteins containing the C-terminal domain of the EspP signal peptide are targeted cotranslationally by SRP, we found that proteins containing the full-length signal peptide were targeted post-translationally via a novel TF-independent mechanism. Mutation of an invariant asparagine residue in the N-terminal extension, however, restored cotranslational targeting. Remarkably, proteins containing extremely hydrophobic derivatives of the EspP signal peptide were also targeted post-translationally. These and other results suggest that the N-terminal extension alters the accessibility of the signal peptide to SRP and TF and promotes post-translational export by reducing the efficiency of the interaction between the signal peptide and the SecYEG complex. Based on data, we propose that the N-terminal extension mediates an interaction with an unidentified cytoplasmic factor or induces the formation of an unusual signal peptide conformation prior to the onset of protein translocation.     

Translocation of N-terminal tails across the plasma membrane.

Previously we have shown that the first hydrophobic domain of leader peptidase (lep) can function to translocate a short N-terminal 18 residue antigenic peptide from the phage Pf3 coat protein across the plasma membrane of Escherichia coli. We have now examined the mechanism of insertion of N-terminal periplasmic tails and have defined the features needed to translocate these regions. We find that short tails of up to 38 residues are efficiently translocated in a SecA- and SecY-independent manner while longer tails are very poorly inserted. Efficient translocation of a 138 residue tail is restored and is Sec-dependent by the addition of a leader sequence to the N-terminus of the protein. We also find that while there is no amphiphilic helix requirement for N-terminal translocation, there is a charge requirement that is needed within the tail; an arginine and lysine residue can inhibit or completely block translocation when introduced into the tail region. Intriguingly, the membrane potential is required for insertion of a 38 residue tail but not for a 23 residue tail.     

Overlapping transport and chaperone-binding functions within a bacterial twin-arginine signal peptide

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is a protein targeting system present in many prokaryotes. The physiological role of the Tat pathway is the transmembrane translocation of fully-folded proteins, which are targeted by N-terminal signal peptides bearing conserved SRRxFLK 'twin-arginine' amino acid motifs. In Escherichia coli the majority of Tat targeted proteins bind redox cofactors and it is important that only mature, cofactor-loaded precursors are presented for export. Cellular processes have been unearthed that sequence these events, for example the signal peptide of the periplasmic nitrate reductase (NapA) is bound by a cytoplasmic chaperone (NapD) that is thought to regulate assembly and export of the enzyme. In this work, genetic, biophysical and structural approaches were taken to dissect the interaction between NapD and the NapA signal peptide. A NapD binding epitope was identified towards the N-terminus of the signal peptide, which overlapped significantly with the twin-arginine targeting motif. NMR spectroscopy revealed that the signal peptide adopted a α-helical conformation when bound by NapD, and substitution of single residues within the NapA signal peptide was sufficient to disrupt the interaction. This work provides an increased level of understanding of signal peptide function on the bacterial Tat pathway.     

In vivo dissection of the Tat translocation pathway in Escherichia coli

The bacterial Tat pathway is capable of exporting folded proteins carrying a special twin arginine (RR) signal peptide. By using two in vivo reporter proteins, we assessed factors that affect Tat pathway transport. We observed that, like the intact RR signal peptide, those with a KR or RK substitution were still capable of mediating the translocation of the folded green fluorescent protein (GFP). However, the translocation efficiency decreased in the order of RR>KR>RK. The KK motif was unable to mediate GFP translocation. The translocation of the RR-GFP fusion required TatA, TatB and TatC proteins. By exploiting the periplasmic bactericidal property of colicin V (ColV), we constructed a translocation-suicide probe, RR-ColV. The translocation of RR-ColV fully inhibited the growth of wild-type Escherichia coli and those of the DeltatatD and DeltatatE mutants. In contrast, the deletion of the tatC gene blocked RR-ColV in the cytoplasm and this strain exhibited a normal growth phenotype. Interestingly, the growth of DeltatatA and tatB mutants was inhibited partially by RR-ColV. Moreover, KR, RK and KK motifs were capable of mediating the ColV translocation with a decreasing RR=KR>RK>KK efficiency. In addition to TatE and TatC proteins, either TatA or TatB was sufficient for the translocation of RR-ColV or KR-ColV. In contrast, TatA plus the conserved N-terminal domain of TatB were required to mediate the killing effect of ColV fused to the less-efficient RK signal peptide. Taken together, these results suggest that a fully efficient Tat pathway transport is determined by the sequence of the signal peptide, the composition of the Tat apparatus, and the intrinsic characteristics of exported proteins.     

Protein targeting to the chloroplasts of photosynthetic eukaryotes: getting there is half the fun

The plastids of many algae are surrounded by three or four membranes, thought to be a consequence of their evolutionary origin through secondary endosymbiosis between photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic eukaryotes. Each membrane constitutes a barrier to the passage of proteins, so protein targeting in these complex plastids has an extra level of difficulty when compared to higher plants. In the latter, protein translocation across the two membranes uses multi-protein complexes that together import proteins possessing an N-terminal leader sequence rich in serine and threonine (S/T). In contrast, while targeting to most complex plastids also involves an S/T-rich region, this region is preceded by an N-terminal hydrophobic signal peptide. This arrangement of peptide sequences suggests that proteins directed to complex plastids pass through the ER, as do other proteins with hydrophobic signal peptides. However, this simplistic view is not always easy to reconcile with what is known about the different secondary plastids. In the first group, with plastids bounded by three membranes, plastid-directed proteins do indeed arrive in Golgi-derived vesicles, but a second hydrophobic region follows the S/T-rich region in all leaders. In the second group, where four membranes completely surround the plastids, it is still not known how the proteins arrive at the plastids, and in addition, one member of this group uses a targeting signal rich in asparagine and lysine in place of the S/T-rich region. In the third group, the fourth bounding membrane is contiguous with the ER, but it is not clear what distinguishes plastid membranes from others in the endomembrane system. Knowing what to expect is important, as genomic sequencing programs may soon be turning up some of the missing pieces in these translocation puzzles.     

Foreign transmembrane peptides replacing the internal signal sequence of transferrin receptor allow its translocation and membrane binding

Each subunit of the human transferrin receptor (TR) dimer is inserted into the ER membrane as a transmembrane polypeptide having its N-terminus in the cytoplasm. The transmembrane segment of the molecule serves both as a signal for chain translocation and as a membrane anchor. To study which structural features of this segment are required for its dual function, we have essentially replaced the transmembrane peptide with the C-terminal membrane-spanning segment of two proteins having a separate N-terminal translocation signal and with an artificial uncharged peptide. In each case the mutant TR molecules are efficiently translocated in vitro. In contrast, substitution of the transmembrane peptide of TR with a hydrophilic peptide results in no detectable translocation activity of the mutant TR. This suggests that the hydrophobic character of the transmembrane peptide of TR, rather than its actual amino acid sequence, is important for chain translocation and membrane binding.     

Novel mechanism of outer membrane targeting of proteins in Gram-negative bacteria

In Gram-negative bacteria, all the proteins destined for the outer membrane are synthesized with a signal sequence that is cleaved, either by the signal peptidase LepB for integral outer membrane proteins or by LspA for lipoproteins, when they cross the cytoplasmic membrane. The Dickeya dadantii protein PnlH does not possess a cleavable signal sequence but is anchored in the outer membrane by an N-terminal targeting signal. Addition of the 41 N-terminal amino acids of PnlH is sufficient for anchoring various hybrid proteins in the outer membrane. This targeting signal presents some of the characteristics of a Tat (twin arginine translocation) signal sequence but without an obvious cleavage site. We found that the Tat translocation pathway is required for the targeting process. This new mechanism of outer membrane protein targeting is probably widespread as PnlH was also addressed to the outer membrane when expressed in Escherichia coli . As PnlH was not detected as a substrate by Tat signal sequence prediction programmes, this would suggest that there may be many other unknown Tat-dependent outer membrane proteins.     

Synthesis of OmpA protein of Escherichia coli K12 in Bacillus subtilis

We have inserted a C-terminally truncated gene of the major outer membrane protein OmpA of Escherichia coli downstream from the promoter and signal sequence of the secretory alpha-amylase of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in a secretion vector of Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis transformed with the hybrid plasmid synthesized a protein that was immunologically identified as OmpA. All the protein was present in the particulate fraction. The size of the protein compared to the peptide synthesized in vitro from the same template indicated that the alpha-amylase derived signal peptide was not removed; this was verified by N-terminal amino acid sequence determination. The lack of cleavage suggests that there was little or no translocation of OmpA protein across the cytoplasmic membrane. This is an unexpected difference compared with periplasmic proteins, which were both secreted and processed when fused to the same signal peptide. A requirement of a specific component for the export of outer membrane proteins is suggested.     

TAT-Pathway-Dependent Lipoproteins as a Niche-Based Adaptation in Prokaryotes

Bacterial lipoproteins, characterized by the N-terminal N-acyl S-diacylglyceryl Cysteine, are key membrane proteins in bacterial homeostasis. It is generally thought that during the modification lipoprotein precursors are translocated via the Sec-machinery in an unfolded state. The recent discovery of twin-arginine translocation (TAT) machinery, meant for exporting folded-proteins, and the presence of TAT-type signal sequences in co-factor-containing (hence already folded) lipoproteins, prompted us to investigate its role and significance in lipoprotein biosynthesis. We systematically analyzed 696 prokaryotic genomes using an algorithm based on DOLOP and TatP rules to predict TAT-pathway-dependent lipoprotein substrates. Occurrence of the deduced TAT-pathway-dependent lipoprotein substrates in relation to genome size, presence or absence of TAT machinery, and extent of its usage for lipoprotein export and habitat types revealed that unlike the host-obligates, the free-living prokaryotes in complex hostile environments (e.g., soil) depend more on TAT-exported lipoproteins. Functional classification of the predicted TAT-dependent lipoproteins revealed enrichment in hydrolases and oxido-reductases, which are fast-folding and co-factor-containing proteins. The role of the TAT pathway in the export of folded-lipoproteins and in niche-specific adaptation for survival has important implications not only in lipoprotein biosynthesis, but also for protein and metabolic engineering applications.     

An artificial transmembrane segment directs SecA, SecB, and electrochemical potential-dependent translocation of a long amino-terminal tail

Many integral membrane proteins contain an amino-terminal segment, often referred to as an N-tail, that is translocated across a membrane. In many cases, translocation of the N-tail is initiated by a cleavable, amino-terminal signal peptide. For N-tail proteins lacking a signal peptide, translocation is initiated by a transmembrane segment that is carboxyl to the translocated segment. The mechanism of membrane translocation of these segments, although poorly understood, has been reported to be independent of the protein secretion machinery. In contrast, here we describe alkaline phosphatase mutants containing artificial transmembrane segments that demonstrate that translocation of a long N-tail across the membrane is dependent upon SecA, SecB, and the electrochemical potential in the absence of a signal peptide. The corresponding mutants containing signal peptides also use the secretion machinery but are less sensitive to inhibition of its components. We present evidence that inhibition of SecA by sodium azide is incomplete even at high concentrations of inhibitor, which suggests why SecA-dependent translocation may not have been detected in other systems. Furthermore, by varying the charge around the transmembrane segment, we find that in the absence of a signal peptide, the orientation of the membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase is dictated by the positive inside rule. However, the presence of a signal peptide is an overriding factor in membrane orientation and renders all mutants in an Nout-Cin orientation.     

N-terminal basic amino acids are not required for translocation and processing of preproparathyroid hormone

An N-terminal deletion mutant of preproparathyroid hormone that contains a single basic amino acid, lysine, in the N-terminal domain of the signal peptide is translocated across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane similarly to intact preproparathyroid hormone. To examine the function of charged residues preceeding the hydrophobic core, the lysine was replaced by an uncharged (methionine) or negatively charged (glutamic acid) amino acid. The translocational activity of the mutant signal peptides was assayed in a reticulocyte lysate system containing chicken oviduct microsomal membranes. Altering the net charge of the N-terminal domain did not abolish signal sequence activity, although the efficiency of translocation was decreased for the mutant with a glutamic acid substitution. Posttranslational, ribosome independent, translocation was observed for all the mutants tested, with the same dependence on N-terminal charge but with much lower efficiency than cotranslational translocation. These studies show that the presence of basic amino acids in the N-terminal domain of a eukaryotic signal sequence is not required for its activity.     

2D NMR and structural model for a mitochondrial signal peptide bound to a micelle

The 19 amino acid signal peptide of rat liver aldehyde dehydrogenase, possessing a lysine substitution for an arginine and containing 3 extra amino acid residues at the C terminus, was studied by two-dimensional NMR in a dodecylphosphocholine micelle. In this membrane-like environment, the peptide contains two alpha-helical regions, both of which are amphiphilic, separated by a hinge region. The helix located closer to the C terminus is more stable than is the helix located near the N terminus. This suggests that the hydrophobic face of the C-terminal helix is buried within the hydrophobic region of the micelle. On the basis of these results a general model for protein translocation is presented in which the C-terminal amphiphilic helix of the signal region in the preprotein first binds to the mitochondrial membrane and then diffuses to the translocation receptor. The receptor then recognizes the N-terminal helix of the signal region, which is not anchored to the membrane. To explain how this signal peptide was imported into isolated mitochondria in the absence of energy or receptor protein [Pak, Y. K., & Weiner, H. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 14298-14307], a model for signal peptide translocation across a membrane barrier without the need for auxiliary membrane proteins is proposed. In this model the faces of the two helices fold upon each other, resulting in the mutual shielding of positively charged residues by the complementary hydrophilic face of the other amphiphilic helix.     

Signal peptidase I-mediated processing of an engineered mammalian cytochrome b(5) precursor is an exocytoplasmic post-translocational event in Escherichia coli

Proteins destined for translocation across the prokaryotic cytoplasmic membrane are synthesized as precursors carrying transient N-terminal extensions known as signal sequences. They facilitate initial engagement of precursor proteins with the sec-dependent translocase to initiate active threading of the polypeptide across the membrane. The translocated precursor is then processed by a transcytoplasmic signal peptidase anchored to the inner membrane. The temporal nature of cleavage of the signal sequence during pre-protein translocation has remained elusive. Using an engineered mammalian cytochrome b(5) precursor we demonstrate that the signal peptide processing in Escherichia coli is an event that can occur after almost complete exocytoplasmic translocation of the preprotein is accomplished. We discuss implications of the findings in light of the known working model of sec-dependent pre-protein translocon.     

An alternative model of the twin arginine translocation system

The twin arginine translocation (Tat) system is a machinery which can translocate folded proteins across energy transducing membranes. Currently it is supposed that Tat substrates bind directly to Tat translocon components before a ApH-driven translocation occurs. In this review, an alternative model is presented which proposes that membrane integration could precede Tat-dependent translocation. This idea is mainly supported by the recent observations of Tat-independent membrane insertion of Tat substrates in vivo and in vitro. Membrane insertion may allow i) a quality control of the folded state by membrane bound proteases like FtsH, ii) the recognition of the membrane spanning signal peptide by Tat system components, and iii) a pulling mechanism of translocation. In some cases of folded Tat substrates, the membrane targeting process may require ATP-dependent N-terminal unfolding-steps.     

Dependence of prePhoA-phospholipid interaction in vivo and in vitro on charge of signal peptide N-terminus and content of anionic phospholipids in membranes

Replacement of the positively charged signal peptide with neutral or negatively charged peptides due to substitution of Lys(–20) in the N-terminal region of the signal peptide leads to decreases in the rate of prePhoA membrane translocation in vivo and in the efficiency of prePhoA insertion into liposomes in vitro. The effect of anionic phospholipids on prePhoA insertion into model membranes is determined by the signal peptide N-terminus charge, while the dependence of prePhoA translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane in vivo is not, under the studied variations in the content of anionic phospholipids. This is evidence of the possibility of direct electrostatic interaction between the signal peptide N-terminus and anionic phospholipids, which in vivo, however, seems to involve some proteins of the Sec machinery.     

Archaeal signal peptides--a comparative survey at the genome level

The correct delivery of noncytoplasmic proteins to locations both within and outside the cell depends on the appropriate targeting signals. Protein translocation across the bacterial plasma membrane and the eukaryal endoplasmic reticulum membrane relies on cleavable N-terminal signal peptides. Although the signal peptides of secreted proteins in Bacteria and Eukarya have been extensively studied at the sequence, structure, and functional levels, little is known of the nature of archaeal signal peptides. In this report, genome-based analysis was performed in an attempt to define the amino acid composition, length, and cleavage sites of various signal peptide classes in a wide range of archaeal species. The results serve to present a picture of the archaeal signal peptide, revealing the incorporation of bacterial, eukaryal, and archaeal traits.     

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.     

Chloroplast Import Signals: The Length Requirement for Translocation In Vitro and In Vivo

Protein translocation of cytosolically synthesized proteins requires signals for both targeting of precursor proteins to the surface of the respective compartment and their transfer across its membrane. In contrast to signals for peroxisomal and endoplasmic reticulum translocation, the signals for mitochondrial and chloroplast transport are less well defined with respect to length and amino acid requirements. To study the properties of signals required for translocation into chloroplasts in vitro and in vivo, we used fusion proteins composed of transit peptides and the Ig-like module of the muscle protein titin as passenger. We observed that about 60 amino acids—longer than the transit peptide length of many experimentally confirmed chloroplast proteins—are required for efficient translocation. However, within native chloroplast precursor proteins with transit peptides shorter than 60 amino acids, extension appears to be present as they are efficiently imported into organelles. In addition, the interaction of an unfolded polypeptide stretch of 60 or more amino acids with receptors at the chloroplast surface results in the unidirectionality of protein translocation into chloroplasts even in the presence of a competing C-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal. These findings prove the existing ideas that initial targeting is defined by the N-terminal signal and that the C-terminal signal is sensed only subsequently.     

Alteration of N-terminal residues of mature human lysozyme affects its secretion in yeast and translocation into canine microsomal vesicles

Signal sequences play a central role in the initial membrane translocation of secretory proteins. Their functions depend on factors such as hydrophobicity and conformation of the signal sequences themselves. However, some characteristics of mature proteins, especially those of the N-terminal region, might also affect the function of the signal sequences. To examine this possibility, several mutants of human lysozyme modified in the N-terminal region of the mature protein were constructed, and their secretion in yeast as well as in vitro translocation into canine pancreatic microsomes were analyzed using an idealized signal sequence L8 (MR(L)8PLAALG). Our results show the following. (1) Change in the charge at the N-terminal residue of the mature protein does not affect secretion drastically. (2) Substitution of a proline residue at the N terminus prevents cleavage of the signal sequence, although translocation itself is not impaired. (3) Excessive positive charges in the N-terminal region delay translocation of the precursor protein across the membrane. (4) Polar and negatively charged residues introduced into the N-terminal region affect the secretion of the mature protein by preventing its correct folding.     

Pathway specificity for a delta pH-dependent precursor thylakoid lumen protein is governed by a ''Sec-avoidance'' motif in the transfer peptide and a ''Sec-incompatible'' mature protein.

Cleavable N-terminal targeting signals direct the translocation of lumenal proteins across the chloroplast thylakoid membrane by either a Sec-type or delta pH-driven protein translocase. The targeting signals specify choice of translocation pathway, yet all resemble typical bacterial 'signal' peptides in possessing a charged N-terminus (N-domain), hydrophobic core region (H-domain) and more polar C-terminal region (C-domain). We have previously shown that a twin-arginine motif in the N-domain is essential for targeting by the delta pH-dependent pathway, but it has remained unclear why targeting signals for this system (transfer peptides) are not recognized by the Sec apparatus. We show here that the conserved charge distribution around the H-domain in the 23K transfer peptide (twin-Arg in the N-domain, Lys in the C-domain) constitutes a 'Sec-avoidance' signal. The C-domain Lys, while not important for delta pH-dependent targeting, is the only barrier to Sec-dependent translocation; its removal generates an apparently perfect signal peptide. Conversely, insertion of twin-Arg into the N-domain of a Sec substrate has little effect, as has insertion of a C-domain Lys, but the combined substitutions almost totally block transport. We also show that the 23K mature protein is incapable of being targeted by the Sec pathway, and it is proposed that the role of the Sec-avoidance motif in the transfer peptide is to prevent futile interactions with the Sec apparatus.