A mechanism of protein localization: The signal hypothesis and bacteria

Scott D. Emr, Michael N. Hall, Thomas I. Silhavy

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

We are studying the molecular mechanism of cellular protein localization. The availability of genetic techniques, such as gene fusion in Escherichia coli, has made this problem particularly amenable to study in this prokaryote. We have constructed a variety of strains in which the gene coding for an outer membrane protein is fused to the gene coding for a normally cytoplasmic enzyme, β-galactosidase. The hybrid proteins produced by such strains retain ,β-galactosidase activity ; this activity serves as a simple biochemical tag for studying the localization of the outer membrane protein. In addition, we have exploited phenotypes exhibited by certain fusion strains to isolate mutants that are altered in the process of protein export. Genetic and biochemical analyses of such mutants have provided evidence that the molecular mechanism of cellular protein localization is strikingly similar in both bacteria and animal cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)701-711
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume86
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 1980
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cell Biology

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