The goal of this project is to understand in mechanistic terms how proteins are transported across membranes. Both secretory and membrane proteins are translocated from the cytosol across the membrane through a channel that is formed from a heterotrimeric membrane protein complex, the Sec61p complex in eukaryotes and the SecY complex in bacteria and archae. We have determined X-ray structures of the SecY complex alone and when associated with the ATPase SecA, which have led to new insights and provide the basis for part of the present proposal. In eukaryotes, there is a translocation pathway in the reverse direction, called ERAD (for ER associated degradation), which is used to degrade misfolded ER proteins. We have identified most, if not all, components involved in ERAD, paving the way for mechanistic studies. Here, we will address key aspects of translocation with specific emphasis on the following questions: 1. How are proteins cotranslationally translocated and how is the membrane barrier for small molecules maintained during the process? Based on a new method to generate cotranslational translocation intermediates in intact E. coli cells and the ability to purify ribosome/nascent chain/channel complexes, we will determine how many copies of SecY are required for translocation and will use electron microscopy to elucidate how the active channel binds to the ribosome. We will investigate how the channel maintains the membrane barrier for small molecules during translocation. 2. What is the mechanism of posttranslational translocation in bacteria? We will clarify the mechanism by which SecA moves polypeptides through the channel. We will address the unexplored role of the SecDFYajC complex and test its involvement in mediating the effect of a membrane potential on translocation. 3. What is the molecular mechanism of ERAD? We will probe the path of a luminal ERAD (ERAD-L) substrate and determine how it is recognized. Based on preliminary results that indicate a crucial role for the ubiquitin ligase Hrd1p, we will purify the protein, and reconstitute it together with its partner proteins. We will develop a purified component system that recapitulates subreactions or even the entire ERAD-L process.

Public Health Relevance

The mechanism of protein translocation is of great medical importance. Drugs that inhibit signal sequence binding can be used for therapeutic intervention in chronic inflammatory diseases. A large number of diseases, including cystic fibrosis and a1-antitrypsin deficiency, are caused by mutations that result in the misfolding of ER proteins and their subsequent degradation in the cytosol. The pathway is also hijacked by certain viruses and toxins, and a better understanding may lead to new drugs allowing interference.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM052586-17
Application #
8106773
Study Section
Membrane Biology and Protein Processing (MBPP)
Program Officer
Ainsztein, Alexandra M
Project Start
1995-05-01
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2011-05-01
Budget End
2012-04-30
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$488,975
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047006379
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Bodnar, Nicholas O; Kim, Kelly H; Ji, Zhejian et al. (2018) Structure of the Cdc48 ATPase with its ubiquitin-binding cofactor Ufd1-Npl4. Nat Struct Mol Biol 25:616-622
Wu, Xudong; Rapoport, Tom A (2018) Mechanistic insights into ER-associated protein degradation. Curr Opin Cell Biol 53:22-28
Chen, Yu; Bensing, Barbara A; Seepersaud, Ravin et al. (2018) Unraveling the sequence of cytosolic reactions in the export of GspB adhesin from Streptococcus gordonii. J Biol Chem 293:5360-5373
Schoebel, Stefan; Mi, Wei; Stein, Alexander et al. (2017) Cryo-EM structure of the protein-conducting ERAD channel Hrd1 in complex with Hrd3. Nature 548:352-355
Bodnar, Nicholas O; Rapoport, Tom A (2017) Molecular Mechanism of Substrate Processing by the Cdc48 ATPase Complex. Cell 169:722-735.e9
Rapoport, Tom A; Li, Long; Park, Eunyong (2017) Structural and Mechanistic Insights into Protein Translocation. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 33:369-390
Tripathi, Arati; Mandon, Elisabet C; Gilmore, Reid et al. (2017) Two alternative binding mechanisms connect the protein translocation Sec71-Sec72 complex with heat shock proteins. J Biol Chem 292:8007-8018
Baldridge, Ryan D; Rapoport, Tom A (2016) Autoubiquitination of the Hrd1 Ligase Triggers Protein Retrotranslocation in ERAD. Cell 166:394-407
Li, Long; Park, Eunyong; Ling, JingJing et al. (2016) Crystal structure of a substrate-engaged SecY protein-translocation channel. Nature 531:395-399
Tan, Dongyan; Blok, Neil B; Rapoport, Tom A et al. (2016) Structures of the double-ring AAA ATPase Pex1-Pex6 involved in peroxisome biogenesis. FEBS J 283:986-92

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