SecYEG proteoliposomes catalyze the Deltaphi-dependent membrane insertion of FtsQ

In Escherichia coli, the insertion of most inner membrane proteins is mediated by the Sec translocase. Ribosome-bound nascent chains of Sec-dependent inner membrane proteins are targeted to the SecYEG complex via the signal recognition particle pathway. We now demonstrate that the signal recognition particle-dependent co-translational membrane targeting and membrane insertion of FtsQ can be reconstituted with proteoliposomes containing purified SecYEG. SecA and a transmembrane electrical potential are essential for the translocation of the large periplasmic domain of FtsQ, whereas co-reconstituted YidC has an inhibitory effect. These data demonstrate that membrane protein insertion can be reconstituted with a minimal set of purified Sec components.