For proteins, elucidation of dynamics along with 3-dimensional (3-D) structural knowledge leads to an enhanced understanding of structure-function relationships of biomolecular systems. Structural methods, such as X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy, capture a static structure and often require the determination of multiple structures to elucidate aspects of biomolecule binding and dynamics1. This article discusses a solution-based method for mapping global structural elements, such as binding sites or binding interactions, that are potentially more transient and less easily captured by static methods. Strong candidate systems for this methodology are ones in which a 3-D structure has been previously determined by X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, or other structural methods. In this case, we take advantage of the X-ray crystal structure of the SecA-SecYEG complex, a central player in the protein general secretory pathway, to map the location of a signal peptide binding site using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) prior to the transport of the preprotein across the membrane2. Manipulation of the biological system through genetic modifications coupled with our knowledge of the 3-D structure enabled the determination of the conformation of the signal sequence and early mature region immediately prior to insertion into the channel 3.
FRET involves the radiation-less transfer of energy from one molecule (donor) to another (acceptor) in a distance-dependent fashion that is through space4,5. The efficiency of this transfer is monitored through either a decrease in donor or an increase in acceptor fluorescence intensity. The efficiency of energy transfer can be described as
E = R06/(R06 + R6)
in which the R0 value is the distance at which the transfer is 50% efficient6. The technique has previously been described as a molecular ruler and is effective at determining distances in the 2.5-12 nm range, depending on the identity of the donor-acceptor dyes4,7,8,9. The donor fluorescence intensities and lifetimes with or without acceptor allow determination of transfer efficiencies and consequently, distances5,8. Due to the availability of the technology, sensitivity of the method, and ease of use, FRET has also found broad application in such areas as single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy6. The advent of fluorescent proteins such as green fluorescent protein has made the observation of intracellular dynamics and live-cell imaging relatively facile10,11. Many FRET applications such as these are discussed in detail in this virtual issue.
In this study, we particularly focus on the use of FRET measurements to yield distance values to determine structural details. Previously, FRET measurements have been effectively used to determine the conformation of DNA molecules when bound to protein12,13,14, the internal dynamics of proteins, and protein binding interactions15,16,17. The advantages of this method lie in the ability to determine flexible and dynamic structural elements in a solution with relatively low amounts of material. Significantly, this method is particularly effective when used in conjunction with existing structural information and cannot be used as a means of 3-D structure determination. The method provides the best insight and refinement of structure if the work builds on existing structural information often coupled with computational simulation18,19. Here, the use of distances obtained from steady-state and time-resolved FRET measurements is described to map a binding site, the location of which was not known, on an existing crystallographic structure of the SecA-SecYEG complex, major proteins in the general secretory pathway3.
The general secretory pathway, a highly conserved system from prokaryotes to eukaryotes to archaea, mediates the transport of proteins either across or into the membrane to their functional location in the cell. For Gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli, the organism used in our study, proteins are inserted into or translocated across the inner membrane to the periplasm. The bacterial SecY channel complex (termed the translocon) coordinates with other proteins to translocate the newly synthesized protein, which is directed to its correct location in the cell through a signal sequence typically located at the N-terminus20,21. For proteins bound for the periplasm, the ATPase SecA protein associates with the exit tunnel of the ribosome, and with the preprotein after approximately 100 residues have been translated22. Along with the SecB chaperone protein, it maintains the preprotein in an unfolded state. SecA binds to the SecYEG translocon, and through many cycles of ATP hydrolysis, facilitates protein transport across the membrane23,24.
SecA is a multi-domain protein that exists in cytosolic and membrane-bound forms. A homodimeric protein in the cytosol, SecA consists of a preprotein binding or cross-linking domain25, two nucleotide-binding domains, a helical wing domain, a helical scaffold domain, and the two helix finger (THF)26,27,28,29 (Figure 1). In previous crystallographic studies of the SecA-SecYEG complex, the location of the THF suggested that it was actively involved in protein translocation and subsequent cross-linking experiments with the signal peptide further established the significance of this region in protein translocation30,31. Previous studies, using the FRET mapping methodology, demonstrated that exogenous signal peptides bind to this region of SecA2,32. To fully understand the conformation and location of the signal sequence and early mature region of the preprotein prior to insertion into the SecYEG channel, a protein chimera in which the signal sequence and residues of the early mature region were attached to SecA through a Ser-Gly linker was created (Figure 1). Using this biologically viable construct, it was further demonstrated that the signal sequence and early mature region of the preprotein bind to the THF in a parallel fashion2. Subsequently, the FRET mapping methodology was used to elucidate the conformation and location of the signal sequence and early mature region in the presence of SecYEG as described below3.
Knowledge of the 3-D structure of the SecA-SecYEG complex33,34,35 and the possible location of the binding site allowed us to judiciously place donor-acceptor labels in locations where the intersection of individual FRET distances identifies the binding site location. These FRET mapping measurements revealed that the signal sequence and the early mature region of the preprotein form a hairpin with the tip located at the mouth of the SecYEG channel, demonstrating that the hairpin structure is templated prior to channel insertion.