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Stepwise evolution of the Sec machinery in Proteobacteria
Eli O van der Sluis1, Arnold J M Driessen
1Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands.
Trends in Microbiology
|February 24, 2006
Summary
The bacterial Sec machinery evolved stepwise, with accessory proteins like SecB, SecE, and SecM added over time. This evolution culminated in the complex Sec system found in Escherichia coli and other Proteobacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The Sec machinery is essential for protein transport across and into biological membranes in bacteria.
- Certain Proteobacteria possess unique accessory features within their Sec machinery.
- Understanding the evolution of the Sec system provides insights into bacterial adaptation and complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history of the bacterial Sec machinery.
- To determine the phylogenetic distribution of accessory Sec components in Proteobacteria.
- To elucidate the stepwise acquisition of features in the Sec translocation system.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of genomic data.
- Comparative genomics of bacterial Sec machinery components.
- Tracing the distribution of accessory Sec factors (SecB, SecE, SecM) across bacterial divisions.
Main Results:
- The Sec machinery exhibits a stepwise evolutionary pattern.
- Accessory features like SecB, SecE, and SecM were sequentially acquired.
- The Sec system in Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriales represents a highly evolved form.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of the Sec machinery involved discrete addition of components.
- The observed distribution of features supports a model of gradual enhancement.
- The specialized Sec machinery in Proteobacteria highlights evolutionary divergence within bacteria.