Structure and substrate recognition by the bacterial twin-arginine translocation (Tat) core complex

The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) system is a mechanistically unique protein transport pathway moving folded proteins across membranes. It is found in all domains of life and is essential for bacterial virulence and plant photosynthesis. The membrane proteins, TatA, TatB and TatC form a core complex to which substrate proteins bind, triggering the recruitment of additional TatA protomers to form the transport site. Here we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of the prototypical TatBC complex from Escherichia coli and the atypical complexes from Nitratifactor salsuginis and Myxococcus xanthus in a resting state, alongside TatAC substrate-bound TatBC and TatABC complexes from E. coli in the early stages of transport. These structures demonstrate that substrate proteins associate with the core complex solely through their N-terminal signal peptides. The Tat targeting sequences of the signal peptides make specific contacts with TatC, and the peptide body is clamped by TatB. The core complex contains highly tilted transmembrane helices that drive extreme local membrane thinning. On the basis of our structures and biochemical and functional analyses, we propose a model for the early steps in Tat transport.