Dynamics of protein secretion

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Novel measurement techniques for visualizing 'live' protein molecules at work
• Project/Area Number: 26119007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Complex systems
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Tomoya Tsukazaki 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 教授 (80436716)
• Research Collaborator: TANAKA Yoshiki
• Project Period (FY): 2014-07-10 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: トランスロコン / SecYEG / SecDF / SecA / 蛋白質 / 分泌 / 膜透過 / 構造生物学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Protein secretion in bacteria is an essential mechanism, which is mediated by Sec proteins. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of how Sec proteins are transported still remains unclear. In this study, we performed X-ray crystallographic analysis and observation of Sec proteins using high-speed atomic force microscope to elucidate the mechanism. As the result, the system which could observe the protein secretion reaction by real-time single unit analysis was established, while the structures of Sec proteins in various forms was solved.

Free Research Field

構造生命科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

タンパク質の分泌反応は，生命が生きていく上で欠かせない機構の一つである。しかし，その分子メカニズムは未だなお不明な点が多い。タンパク質の分泌反応に関わるタンパク質はSecタンパク質群であり，これらの働きを明らかとすることは生命を理解する情報を与えるため，本研究は基盤科学として意義深い。そこで，生物物理学的な手法を用いて研究をすすめ，研究の成果となる１７報の英語論文を世界に向けて発表した。