MamF-like proteins are distant Tic20 homologs involved in organelle assembly in bacteria
Abstract Organelle-specific protein translocation systems are essential for organelle biogenesis and maintenance in eukaryotes but thought to be absent from prokaryotic organelles. Here, we demonstrate that MamF-like proteins are crucial for the formation and functionality of bacterial magnetosome o...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55121-0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Abstract Organelle-specific protein translocation systems are essential for organelle biogenesis and maintenance in eukaryotes but thought to be absent from prokaryotic organelles. Here, we demonstrate that MamF-like proteins are crucial for the formation and functionality of bacterial magnetosome organelles. Deletion of mamF-like genes in the Alphaproteobacterium Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense results in severe defects in organelle positioning, biomineralization, and magnetic navigation. These phenotypic defects result from the disrupted targeting of a subset of magnetosomal proteins that contain C-terminal glycine-rich integral membrane domains. Phylogenetic analyses reveal an ancient evolutionary link between MamF-like proteins and plastidial Tic20. Our findings redefine the molecular roles of MamF-like proteins and suggest that organelle-specific protein targeting systems also play a role in bacterial organelle formation. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |