Mutual stabilization of the XcpZ and XcpY components of the secretory apparatus in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Microbiology (Reading). 1998 Dec:144 ( Pt 12):3379-3386. doi: 10.1099/00221287-144-12-3379.

Abstract

Protein secretion in gram-negative bacteria is often dependent on the general secretory pathway (GSP). In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this system requires at least 12 Xcp (Gsp) proteins, which are proposed to constitute a multiprotein complex localized in the bacterial envelope. Hitherto, little was known about the mutual interactions between Xcp proteins. In this study, mutants affected in the xcpZ gene encoding a bitopic inner-membrane protein were analysed to investigate the role of this protein in the architecture of the secretory machinery. The absence of XcpZ resulted in a decreased amount of XcpY. Reciprocally, XcpZ was not detectable in a xcpY mutant, demonstrating a mutual stabilization of these two proteins. These results strongly suggest that XcpZ and XcpY interact within the functional secretory apparatus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / physiology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • xcpY protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • xcpZ protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa