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Control of membrane barrier during bacterial type-III protein secretion

Author

Listed:
  • Svenja Hüsing

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens)

  • Manuel Halte

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Ulf Look

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens)

  • Alina Guse

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Harvard University)

  • Eric J. C. Gálvez

    (Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens)

  • Emmanuelle Charpentier

    (Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens)

  • David F. Blair

    (University of Utah)

  • Marc Erhardt

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens)

  • Thibaud T. Renault

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens
    Université de Bordeaux
    Université de Bordeaux)

Abstract

Type-III secretion systems (T3SSs) of the bacterial flagellum and the evolutionarily related injectisome are capable of translocating proteins with a remarkable speed of several thousand amino acids per second. Here, we investigate how T3SSs are able to transport proteins at such a high rate while preventing the leakage of small molecules. Our mutational and evolutionary analyses demonstrate that an ensemble of conserved methionine residues at the cytoplasmic side of the T3SS channel create a deformable gasket (M-gasket) around fast-moving substrates undergoing export. The unique physicochemical features of the M-gasket are crucial to preserve the membrane barrier, to accommodate local conformational changes during active secretion, and to maintain stability of the secretion pore in cooperation with a plug domain (R-plug) and a network of salt-bridges. The conservation of the M-gasket, R-plug, and salt-bridge network suggests a universal mechanism by which the membrane integrity is maintained during high-speed protein translocation in all T3SSs.

Suggested Citation

  • Svenja Hüsing & Manuel Halte & Ulf Look & Alina Guse & Eric J. C. Gálvez & Emmanuelle Charpentier & David F. Blair & Marc Erhardt & Thibaud T. Renault, 2021. "Control of membrane barrier during bacterial type-III protein secretion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24226-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24226-1
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