TatAc, the third TatA subunit of Bacillus subtilis, can form active twin-arginine translocases with the TatCd and TatCy subunits

Abstract

Two independent twin-arginine translocases (Tat) for protein secretion were previously identified in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. These consist of the TatAd-TatCd and TatAy-TatCy subunits. The function of a third TatA subunit named TatAc was unknown. Here, we show that TatAc can form active protein translocases with TatCd and TatCy. © 2012, American Society for Microbiology.