Role of 4.5S RNA in assembly of the bacterial signal recognition particle with its receptor

Paul Peluso, Daniel Herschlag, Silke Nock, Douglas M. Freymann, Arthur E. Johnson, Peter Walter*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

127 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mechanism by which a signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor mediate protein targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum or to the bacterial plasma membrane is evolutionarily conserved. In Escherichia coli, this reaction is mediated by the Ffh/4.5S RNA ribonucleoprotein complex (Ffh/4.5S RNP; the SRP) and the FtsY protein (the SRP receptor). We have quantified the effects of 4.5S RNA on Ffh-FtsY complex formation by monitoring changes in tryptophan fluorescence. Surprisingly, 4.5S RNA facilitates both assembly and disassembly of the Ffh-FtsY complex to a similar extent. These results provide an example of an RNA molecule facilitating protein-protein interactions in a catalytic fashion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1640-1643
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume288
Issue number5471
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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