The secE gene encodes an integral membrane protein required for protein export in Escherichia coli.
Genetic screening and selection procedures employing a secA-lacZ fusion strain repeatedly have yielded mutations in four genes affecting the protein export pathway of Escherichia coli. These genes are secA, secD, prlA/secY, and secE. We discuss the significance of the failure to find new sec genes after extensive use of this approach. One of the genes, secE, has been characterized in some detail. From the DNA sequence of the gene and analysis of alkaline phosphatase fusions to the SecE protein, we propose that it is a 13,600-dalton integral cytoplasmic membrane protein. The data presented here and in the accompanying paper strongly suggest that secE has an important role in E. coli protein export.
Schatz
P J
PJ
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Riggs
P D
PD
Jacq
A
A
Fath
M J
MJ
Beckwith
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005838:Genotype; D007763:Lac Operon; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010957:Plasmids; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D000069816:SEC Translocation Channels; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000069816:SEC Translocation Channels; C065493:SecE protein, E coli