Search results for "Translocon"
showing 7 items of 17 documents
Membrane insertion and topology of the TRanslocating chain-Associating Membrane protein (TRAM)
2011
The translocating chain-associating membrane protein (TRAM) is a glycoprotein involved in the translocation of secreted proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen and in the insertion of integral membrane proteins into the lipid bilayer. As a major step toward elucidating the structure of the functional ER translocation/insertion machinery, we have characterized the membrane integration mechanism and the transmembrane topology of TRAM using two approaches: photocross-linking and truncated C-terminal reporter tag fusions. Our data indicate that TRAM is recognized by the signal recognition particle and translocon components, and suggest a membrane topology with eight transmembrane seg…
Folding and insertion of transmembrane helices at the ER
2021
In eukaryotic cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the entry point for newly synthesized proteins that are subsequently distributed to organelles of the endomembrane system. Some of these proteins are completely translocated into the lumen of the ER while others integrate stretches of amino acids into the greasy 30 Å wide interior of the ER membrane bilayer. It is generally accepted that to exist in this non-aqueous environment the majority of membrane integrated amino acids are primarily non-polar/hydrophobic and adopt an α-helical conformation. These stretches are typically around 20 amino acids long and are known as transmembrane (TM) helices. In this review, we will consider how tra…
Membrane protein integration into the endoplasmic reticulum
2011
Most integral membrane proteins are targeted, inserted and assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The sequential and potentially overlapping events necessary for membrane protein integration take place at sites termed translocons, which comprise a specific set of membrane proteins acting in concert with ribosomes and, probably, molecular chaperones to ensure the success of the whole process. In this minireview, we summarize our current understanding of helical membrane protein integration at the endoplasmic reticulum, and highlight specific characteristics that affect the biogenesis of multispanning membrane proteins.
The Mitochondrial Targeting Chaperone 14-3-3ε Regulates a RIG-I Translocon that Mediates Membrane Association and Innate Antiviral Immunity
2012
SummaryRIG-I is a cytosolic pathogen recognition receptor that initiates immune responses against RNA viruses. Upon viral RNA recognition, antiviral signaling requires RIG-I redistribution from the cytosol to membranes where it binds the adaptor protein, MAVS. Here we identify the mitochondrial targeting chaperone protein, 14-3-3ε, as a RIG-I-binding partner and essential component of a translocation complex or “translocon” containing RIG-I, 14-3-3ε, and the TRIM25 ubiquitin ligase. The RIG-I translocon directs RIG-I redistribution from the cytosol to membranes where it mediates MAVS-dependent innate immune signaling during acute RNA virus infection. 14-3-3ε is essential for the stable inte…
Chloroplast signal length requirement reflects the outer membrane and TOC complex dimension
2015
Background and Purpose: The evolution of an efficient preprotein targeting and translocation system was a central prerequisite for the endosymbiotic integration of a -proteobacteria and cyanobacteria as cellular organelles. Today, it is widely accepted that during evolution most (pre-)proteins destined for these two organelles were equipped with an N-terminal targeting signal for localization. While multiple modes of evolution of these extensions are currently discussed, all evolved signals serve the same function – forming a signal for targeting to the correct organelle and translocation across both membranes. We aimed to generalize the current idea for the length requirement of the N-term…
Sec61alpha and TRAM are Sequentially Adjacent to a Nascent Viral Membrane Protein during its ER Integration
2007
Co-translational integration of a nascent viral membrane protein into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane takes place via the translocon. We have been studying the early stages of the integration of a double-spanning plant viral movement protein to gain insights into how viral membrane proteins are transferred from the hydrophilic interior of the translocon into the hydrophobic environment of the bilayer, where the transmembrane (TM) segments of the viral proteins can diffuse freely. Photocrosslinking experiments reveal that this integration involves the sequential passage of the TM segments past Sec61alpha and translocating chain-associating membrane protein (TRAM). Each TM segment is first…
Insertion of Bacteriorhodopsin Helix C Variants into Biological Membranes
2019
A peptide corresponding to bacteriorhodopsin (bR) helix C, later named pHLIP, inserts across lipid bilayers as a monomeric α-helix at acidic pH, but is an unstructured surface-bound monomer at neutral pH. As a result of such pH-responsiveness, pHLIP targets acidic tumors and has been used as a vehicle for imaging and drug-delivery cargoes. To gain insights about the insertion of bR helix C into biological membranes, we replaced two key aspartic residues that control the topological transition from the aqueous phase into a lipid bilayer. Here, we used an in vitro transcription–translation system to study the translocon-mediated insertion of helix C-derived segments into rough microsomes. Our…