Precursor protein translocation by the Escherichia coli translocase is directed by the protonmotive force.

The SecY/E protein of Escherichia coli was coreconstituted with the proton pump bacteriorhodopsin and cytochrome c oxidase yielding proteoliposomes capable of sustaining a protonmotive force (delta p) of defined polarity and composition. Proteoliposomes support the ATP- and SecA-dependent translocation of proOmpA which is stimulated by a delta p, inside acid and positive. delta p of opposite polarity, inside alkaline and negative, suppresses translocation while SecA-mediated ATP hydrolysis continues unabated. delta psi and delta pH are equally effective in promoting or inhibiting translocation. Membrane-spanning translocation intermediates move backwards in the presence of a reversed delta p. These results support a model [Schiebel, E., Driessen, A.J.M., Hartl, F.-U. and Wickner, W. (1991) Cell, 64, 927-939] in which the delta p defines the direction of translocation after ATP hydrolysis has released proOmpA from its association with SecA. The polarity effect of the delta p challenges models involving delta p-dependent membrane destabilization and provides further evidence for a role of the delta p as driving force in precursor protein translocation.