Date of Award
12-2002
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Biochemistry
Supervisor
Professor Dr. David W. Andrews
Abstract
The signal recognition particle pathway cotranslationally targets polytopic proteins to the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. FtsY is the receptor that is recognized by the ribosome-nascent chain-bound signal recognition particle in the bacterial targeting reaction. At the outset of this work a major unresolved issue, and current issue of some contention is the mechanism of Fts Y assembly on the E. coli inner membrane. To clarify the nature of this process, this thesis describes the region of FtsY that binds the membrane and a site-specific cleavage event that defines this region upon membrane binding. The involvement of a specific lipid, phosphatidylethanolamine and an as-yet unidentified inner membrane protein in FtsY membrane targeting are also addressed. With this understanding of the mechanisms ofFtsY membrane assembly in E. coli, additional investigations demonstrate divergent species-specific interactions with the membrane for FtsY homologues from Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces coelicolor. Finally, the unique amino- erminal region was determined to be essential for the function of FtsY in E. coli.
Recommended Citation
Millman, Jonathan S., "CHARACTERIZATION OF MEMBRANE-BINDING BY FTSY, THE PROKARYOTE SRP RECEPTOR" (2002). Open Access Dissertations and Theses. Paper 1479.
http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/opendissertations/1479