Biomaterial Database

[Intracellular protein transport--the cell as a mail carrier]. 1990

G Von Heijne

Institutionen för molekylärbiologi, Karolinska institutet, Novum, Huddinge.

The eukaryotic cell has a highly developed machinery for routing proteins to their correct intra- or extra-cellular locations. Short stretches of amino acids ("signal peptides") serve as address labels that are recognized by receptors on the surface of the appropriate organelle, where-upon translocation across one or more membranes ensues. Premature folding of the nascent protein is prevented by cytoplasmic "chaperones", i.e. proteins that bind to unfolded or partially folded nascent chains. After import into the organelle, other chaperones are required for catalyzing the final folding of the protein, and for promoting its correct assembly into oligomeric protein complexes. Transport along the secretory pathway (endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi to trans-Golgi to plasma membrane) is mediated by vesicles that bud from a donor compartment and fuse with an acceptor compartment.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011485	Protein Binding	The process in which substances, either endogenous or exogenous, bind to proteins, peptides, enzymes, protein precursors, or allied compounds. Specific protein-binding measures are often used as assays in diagnostic assessments.	Plasma Protein Binding Capacity,Binding, Protein
D011506	Proteins	Linear POLYPEPTIDES that are synthesized on RIBOSOMES and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of AMINO ACIDS determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during PROTEIN FOLDING, and the function of the protein.	Gene Products, Protein,Gene Proteins,Protein,Protein Gene Products,Proteins, Gene
D002463	Cell Membrane Permeability	A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells.	Permeability, Cell Membrane
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic