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Tail-anchored membrane protein insertion into the endoplasmic reticulum
Ramanujan S. Hegde* and Robert J. Keenan‡ Abstract | Membrane proteins are inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by two highly conserved parallel pathways. The well-studied co-translational pathway uses signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor for targeting and the SEC61 translocon for membrane integration. A recently discovered post-translational pathway uses an entirely different set of factors involving transmembrane domain (TMD)-selective cytosolic chaperones and an accompanying receptor at the ER. Elucidation of the structural and mechanistic basis of this post-translational membrane protein insertion pathway highlights general principles shared between the two pathways and key distinctions unique to each.
Chaperones All biological membranes contain a structurally diverse compartments of the secretory and endocytic pathways, 9 A large group of proteins that assortment of integral membrane proteins, which col- and both nuclear envelope membranes . facilitate the folding, assembly, lectively constitute ~30% of the cellular proteome1,2. Insertion into the ER membrane can occur either transport and degradation of These proteins impart essential functionality to the lipid co-translationally or post-translationally, each of which non-native polypeptides by 10,11 minimizing inappropriate bilayer to allow a range of cellular activities, includin g offers distinct advantages . In the co-translational interactions. transmembrane communication, transport and mem- pathway, all of the steps from initial protein recognition brane morphogenesis. The selective and asymmetric to final insertion into the membrane occur during pro- insertion of membrane proteins is therefore an evo lu- tein synthesis. By contrast, targeting and insertion via tionarily ancient problem that was solved by the earlies t post-translational pathways occur after complete syn- life forms. thesis of the membrane protein substrate. Thus, the ribo- The shared feature of all integral membrane pro- some is a major functional component during all steps teins is the highly hydrophobic transmembrane domain of co-translationa l insertion, whereas its role in post- (TMD), which in the final structure resides within the translationa l pathways is limited to the very earliest steps. lipid bilayer3. Thus, a critical obstacle in membrane Although the co-translational pathway was discovered protein insertion is the movement of these TMDs from over 30 years ago12–14 and has been extensively studied the aqueous cytosol, where they are synthesized, into the in many systems15–19, the post-translational insertion lipid bilayer, where they are energetically most stable4. pathway has only recently come into focus. Similarly to *Medical Research Council This process necessitates selective TMD recognition, the post-translational translocation of soluble proteins (MRC) Laboratory of shielding of the TMD from the aqueous cytosol, target- into various organelles20–24, the basic paradigm of post- Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge, ing to the membrane surface and integration of the translationa l ER membrane protein insertion involves CB2 0QH, UK. TMD into the lipid bilayer in the correct orientation. cytosolic chaperones (mediating recognition and shield- ‡Department of Biochemistry All membrane protein insertion pathways must solve ing) that interact with a specific ER-localized receptor and Molecular Biology, these four problems, each of which typically involves (mediating targeting and insertion). Here, we review The University of Chicago, Gordon Center for Integrative specialized and highly regulated factors in the cytosol this post-translational pathway and discuss how the Science, Room W238, and target membrane. problems of recognition, shielding, targeting and inser- Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. In eukaryotes, membrane proteins synthesized tion are solved by its machinery. As we outline, there is e-mails: on cytosolic ribosomes can be targeted to mitochon- now sufficient information about each step to provide a [email protected]; dria5, peroxisomes6, chloroplasts (in plants)7 and the plausible mechanistic framework for the whole pathway. [email protected] 8 doi:10.1038/nrm3226 endoplasmic reticulum (ER) . Among these, the ER These insights are starting to reveal common themes Published online accommodates the largest number of proteins, encom- that are likely to apply to all membrane protein insertio n 16 November 2011 passing all membrane proteins of the plasma membrane, processes.
NATURE REVIEWS | MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY VOLUME 12 | DECEMBER 2011 | 787 © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved REVIEWS