Specific targeting of the metallophosphoesterase YkuE to the bacillus cell wall requires the twin-arginine translocation system

J Biol Chem. 2012 Aug 24;287(35):29789-800. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.378190. Epub 2012 Jul 5.

Abstract

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is dedicated to the transport of fully folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membranes of many bacteria and the chloroplast thylakoidal membrane. Accordingly, Tat-dependently translocated proteins are known to be delivered to the periplasm of Gram-negative bacteria, the growth medium of Gram-positive bacteria, and the thylakoid lumen. Here, we present the first example of a protein, YkuE of Bacillus subtilis, that is specifically targeted by the Tat pathway to the cell wall of a Gram-positive bacterium. The cell wall binding of YkuE is facilitated by electrostatic interactions. Interestingly, under particular conditions, YkuE can also be targeted to the cell wall in a Tat-independent manner. The biological function of YkuE was so far unknown. Our present studies show that YkuE is a metal-dependent phosphoesterase that preferentially binds manganese and zinc.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / enzymology*
  • Bacillus subtilis / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Wall / enzymology
  • Cell Wall / genetics
  • Manganese / metabolism*
  • Metalloproteins / genetics
  • Metalloproteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport
  • Zinc / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Metalloproteins
  • Manganese
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Zinc