Study of non-channel type membrane protein insertase, YidC

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06053
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43020:Structural biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto Sangyo University
• Principal Investigator: Chiba Shinobu 京都産業大学, 生命科学部, 教授 (20523517)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: タンパク質局在化 / 膜タンパク質 / YidC

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Unlike the Sec complex, YidC is a membrane protein insertase that does not possess a transmembrane channel (pore). The molecular mechanism by which YidC, which lacks a channel, inserts membrane proteins into the membrane is not yet fully understood. In this study, we performed mutational analysis of the cytoplasmic region of YidC, which is not well elucidated, explored inhibitors of YidC, and tried to identify and analyze novel substrates of SpoIIIJ, a YidC homolog in Bacillus subtilis. As a result, the importance of basic residues in the cytoplasmic region of YidC was demonstrated. Additionally, we were able to identify several small molecules with inhibitory effects on YidC. Furthermore, we identified eight membrane proteins as novel substrates of Bacillus subtilis SpoIIIJ.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

YidCの細胞質領域は、基質やリボソームと相互作用することで新規に合成されたタンパク質がYidCに受け渡される過程に関わることが予想される。そのため、この領域の塩基性残基の重要性を明らかにした本研究成果は、YidC依存的な膜挿入の初期過程を理解するうえで重要な知見となると思われる。YidCの阻害剤の同定は、タンパク質局在化経路の研究ツールとして有用であり、また、抗菌剤開発へと繋がる可能性がある。YidCの新規基質の同定は、YidC依存的な膜挿入の生理的な意義の理解や、分子機構のさらなる理解を促すものと期待される。