Key contributions of a glycolipid to membrane protein integration

Regulation of membrane protein integration involves molecular devices such as Sec-translocons or the insertase YidC. We have identified an integration-promoting factor in the inner membrane of Escherichia coli called membrane protein integrase (MPIase). Structural analysis revealed that, despite its enzyme-like name, MPIase is a glycolipid with a long glycan comprising N-acetyl amino sugars, a pyrophosphate linker, and a diacylglycerol (DAG) anchor. Additionally, we found that DAG, a minor membrane component, blocks spontaneous integration. In this review, we demonstrate how they contribute to Sec-independent membrane protein integration in bacteria using a comprehensive approach including synthetic chemistry and biophysical analyses. DAG blocks unfavorable spontaneous integrations by suppressing mobility in the membrane core, whereas MPIase compensates for this. Moreover, MPIase plays critical roles in capturing a substrate protein to prevent its aggregation, attracting it to the membrane surface, facilitating its insertion into the membrane, and delivering it to other factors. The combination of DAG and MPIase efficiently regulates the integration of membrane proteins.