Signal sequence mutations disrupt feedback between secretion of an exported protein and its synthesis in E. coli.

Recent studies in a eukaryotic system indicate that a block in secretion can lead to a block in the translation of secretory proteins. This feedback on protein synthesis is thought to be a result of an interaction of the signal recognition particle with the signal sequences of nascent proteins. Genetic studies in the prokaryote Escherichia coli suggest that a complex secretion machinery and a similar feedback mechanism exist. In addition, mutations affecting two genes, secA and secC, thought to encode components of the bacterial secretion machinery, selectively interfere with the synthesis of exported proteins. This selective interference with translation may be a result of recognition by the secretion machinery of signal sequences. If so, alteration of the signal sequence of a particular protein by mutation should eliminate the block in synthesis for that protein. We show here that signal sequence mutants for an exported protein, maltose binding protein, prevent the block in synthesis of this protein in a secA mutant.