Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of a degron-containing polytopic membrane protein.

ABSTRACT: The presence of two basic amino acids strategically located within a single spanning transmembrane region has previously been shown to act as a signal for the endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD) of several polypeptides. In contrast, the functionality of this degron motif within the context of a polytopic membrane protein has not been established. Using opsin as a model system, we have investigated the consequences of inserting the degron motif in the first of its seven transmembrane (TM) spans. Whilst these basic residue reduce the binding of the targeting factor, signal recognition particle, to the first TM span, this has no effect on membrane integration in vitro or in vivo. This most likely reflects the presence of multiple TM spans that can act as targeting signals with

SUBMITTER: Ray-Sinha A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3428838 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature