Alignment of conduits for the nascent polypeptide chain in the ribosome-Sec61 complex

Science. 1997 Dec 19;278(5346):2123-6. doi: 10.1126/science.278.5346.2123.

Abstract

An oligomer of the Sec61 trimeric complex is thought to form the protein-conducting channel for protein transport across the endoplasmic reticulum. A purified yeast Sec61 complex bound to monomeric yeast ribosomes as an oligomer in a saturable fashion. Cryo-electron microscopy of the ribosome-Sec61 complex and a three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the Sec61 oligomer is attached to the large ribosomal subunit by a single connection. Moreover, a funnel-shaped pore in the Sec61 oligomer aligned with the exit of a tunnel traversing the large ribosomal subunit, strongly suggesting that both structures function together in the translocation of proteins across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Biological Transport
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / ultrastructure*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Ribosomes / chemistry
  • Ribosomes / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / ultrastructure*
  • SEC Translocation Channels
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / ultrastructure
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • SEC Translocation Channels
  • SEC61 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins