The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) protein export pathway

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2012 Jun 11;10(7):483-96. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro2814.

Abstract

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) protein export system is present in the cytoplasmic membranes of most bacteria and archaea and has the highly unusual property of transporting fully folded proteins. The system must therefore provide a transmembrane pathway that is large enough to allow the passage of structured macromolecular substrates of different sizes but that maintains the impermeability of the membrane to ions. In the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, this complex task can be achieved by using only three small membrane proteins: TatA, TatB and TatC. In this Review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of how this remarkable machine operates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • TatA protein, E coli
  • TatB protein, E coli
  • TatC protein, E coli