Dataset Information

Molecular code for protein insertion in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is similar for N(in)-C(out) and N(out)-C(in) transmembrane helices.

ABSTRACT: Transmembrane alpha-helices in integral membrane proteins can have two orientations in the membrane: N(in)-C(out) or N(out)-C(in). Previous studies of model N(out)-C(in) transmembrane segment have led to a detailed, quantitative picture of the "molecular code" that relates amino acid sequence to membrane insertion efficiency in vivo [Hessa T, et al. (2007) Molecular code for transmembrane helix recognition by the Sec61 translocon. Nature 450:1026-1030], but whether the same code applies also to N(in)-C(out) transmembrane helices is unknown. Here, we show that the contributions of individual amino acids to the overall efficiency of membrane insertion are similar for the two kinds of helices and that the threshold hydrophobicity for membrane insertion can be up to approximately 1 kcal/mol lower for N(in)-C(out) compared with N(out)-C(in) transmembrane helices, depending on the neighboring helices.

SUBMITTER: Lundin C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2572976 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Molecular code for protein insertion in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is similar for N(in)-C(out) and N(out)-C(in) transmembrane helices.

Lundin Carolina C Kim Hyun H Nilsson IngMarie I White Stephen H SH von Heijne Gunnar G

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20081007 41

Transmembrane alpha-helices in integral membrane proteins can have two orientations in the membrane: N(in)-C(out) or N(out)-C(in). Previous studies of model N(out)-C(in) transmembrane segment have led to a detailed, quantitative picture of the "molecular code" that relates amino acid sequence to membrane insertion efficiency in vivo [Hessa T, et al. (2007) Molecular code for transmembrane helix recognition by the Sec61 translocon. Nature 450:1026-1030], but whether the same code applies also to ...[more]

PMID: 18840693

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Project description:Hundreds of tail-anchored proteins, including soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptors (SNAREs) involved in vesicle fusion, are inserted post-translationally into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane by a dedicated protein-targeting pathway. Before insertion, the carboxy-terminal transmembrane domains of tail-anchored proteins are shielded in the cytosol by the conserved targeting factor Get3 (in yeast; TRC40 in mammals). The Get3 endoplasmic-reticulum receptor comprises the cytosolic domains of the Get1/2 (WRB/CAML) transmembrane complex, which interact individually with the targeting factor to drive a conformational change that enables substrate release and, as a consequence, insertion. Because tail-anchored protein insertion is not associated with significant translocation of hydrophilic protein sequences across the membrane, it remains possible that Get1/2 cytosolic domains are sufficient to place Get3 in proximity with the endoplasmic-reticulum lipid bilayer and permit spontaneous insertion to occur. Here we use cell reporters and biochemical reconstitution to define mutations in the Get1/2 transmembrane domain that disrupt tail-anchored protein insertion without interfering with Get1/2 cytosolic domain function. These mutations reveal a novel Get1/2 insertase function, in the absence of which substrates stay bound to Get3 despite their proximity to the lipid bilayer; as a consequence, the notion of spontaneous transmembrane domain insertion is a non sequitur. Instead, the Get1/2 transmembrane domain helps to release substrates from Get3 by capturing their transmembrane domains, and these transmembrane interactions define a bona fide pre-integrated intermediate along a facilitated route for tail-anchor entry into the lipid bilayer. Our work sheds light on the fundamental point of convergence between co-translational and post-translational endoplasmic-reticulum membrane protein targeting and insertion: a mechanism for reducing the ability of a targeting factor to shield its substrates enables substrate handover to a transmembrane-domain-docking site embedded in the endoplasmic-reticulum membrane.

Dataset Information

Molecular code for protein insertion in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is similar for N(in)-C(out) and N(out)-C(in) transmembrane helices.

Publications

Molecular code for protein insertion in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is similar for N(in)-C(out) and N(out)-C(in) transmembrane helices.

Similar Datasets

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