N-Terminal Acetylation Inhibits Protein Targeting to the Endoplasmic Reticulum
2011

N-Terminal Acetylation Inhibits Protein Targeting to the Endoplasmic Reticulum

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Gabriella M. A. Forte, Martin R. Pool, Colin J. Stirling

Primary Institution: University of Manchester

Hypothesis

Does N-terminal acetylation affect the targeting of proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum?

Conclusion

N-terminal acetylation inhibits the translocation of secretory proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Supporting Evidence

  • N-terminal acetylation is a major determinant in protein sorting in eukaryotes.
  • Mutations in secretory signal sequences that led to their acetylation resulted in mis-sorting to the cytosol.
  • Acetylation blocks secretory substrate interaction with the translocon.

Takeaway

This study found that proteins meant to go to the endoplasmic reticulum shouldn't be modified at their start, or they won't get there. It's like putting a sticker on a letter that makes it go to the wrong address.

Methodology

The study used a combination of bioinformatic and experimental approaches to analyze the N-terminal processing of signal sequences in yeast.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pbio.1001073

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