Abstract
Tail-anchored proteins form a distinct class of membrane proteins that have a single membrane anchor sequence at their C-terminus, the tail-anchor. Their N-terminal portion is exposed to the cytosol. We have studied the roles of tail-anchor domains of proteins residing in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Four distinct functions of the tail-anchor domain were identified. First, the domain mediates the targeting to mitochondria in a process that probably requires a net positive charge at the C-terminally flanking segment. Second, tail-anchor domains facilitate the insertion into the mitochondrial outer membrane. Third, the tail-anchor is responsible for the assembly of the respective protein into functional multi-subunit complexes; and fourth, tail-anchor domains can stabilize such complexes.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Cytosol / metabolism
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Fungal Proteins / chemistry
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Fungal Proteins / genetics
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Fungal Proteins / metabolism
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Genetic Complementation Test
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Intracellular Membranes / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
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Mitochondrial Proteins / chemistry*
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Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
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Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Phenotype
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Protein Sorting Signals
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
Substances
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Fungal Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Mitochondrial Proteins
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Protein Sorting Signals
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins