Export of complex cofactor-containing proteins by the bacterial Tat pathway

Tracy Palmer, Frank Sargent, Ben C. Berks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

180 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The twin-arginine (Tat) protein translocase is a highly unusual protein transport machine that is dedicated to the movement of folded proteins across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Proteins are targeted to the Tat pathway by means of N-terminal signal peptides harbouring a distinctive twin-arginine motif. In the model organism Escherichia coli, many of the Tat substrates bind redox cofactors that are inserted into apo-proteins before they engage with the Tat machinery. Here we review recent advances in understanding the events involved in the coordination of cofactor insertion with the export process. Current models for Tat protein transport are also discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-180
Number of pages6
JournalTrends in Microbiology
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2005

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