Unit 6-1
Unit 6-1
UNIT 6
“Protein sorting to organelles - I”
A typical mammalian cell contains up to 10,000 different proteins,
and each must be localized to the correct organelle.
PROTEIN LOCATION
Na+/K+ ATPase plasma membrane
RNA polymerase nucleus
Proteases lysosome
Catalase peroxisome
ATP synthase mitochondria
Hormones extracellular space
Proteins synthesized in eukaryotic cells
ribosome
mRNA
Protein A Protein B
organelle A organelle B
Each protein has a sorting signal (signal sequence) that can range
from 3-60 continuous amino acids. The signal sequence is often, but
not always, removed once the protein arrives at its destination.
ribosome
mRNA
Protein A Protein B
organelle A organelle B
signal sequence B
signal sequence A
Examples of signal sequences
_
COO
_
-Ser-Lys-Leu-COO
hydrophobic
positively charged
negatively charged
polar
Signal sequences are necessary and sufficient for protein sorting
3 steps in protein sorting
Transport through
nuclear pores
Transport across
membranes
Transport by
vesicles
Three main mechanisms to import proteins into a membrane-enclosed organelle
Transport through
nuclear pores
Transports specific
proteins
Transport across
membranes
ER, mitochondria,
chloroplasts,
peroxisomes
Requires protein
translocators
Transport by
vesicles
Transport vesicles
collect cargo protein
and pinch off from
membrane
Entry into the nucleus proceeds through a protein structure called the
nuclear pore complex (NPC). Composed of ~30 proteins, each with multiple
copies such that the NPC contains 500-1000 proteins when assembled.
“inactive”
“active”
Mitochondrial import
Import into the mitochondria only occurs at points where the inner
and outer membranes are in close contact.
1 Precursor proteins are kept in an
unfolded state by the action of
the cytosolic chaperone Hsc70.
This requires energy in the form
of ATP hydrolysis.
smooth ER rough ER
There are two separate populations of ribosomes in the cytosol:
cytosol (in)
lumen (out)
Type I
Type IV