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Mechanisms of Regulation and Fidelity in Tail-Anchored Membrane Protein Targeting

Citation

Rao, Meera (2016) Mechanisms of Regulation and Fidelity in Tail-Anchored Membrane Protein Targeting. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z9G73BQN. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05232016-135949451

Abstract

Accurate protein localization is crucial to generate and to maintain cellular organization. Achieving accuracy is challenging, as the molecular signals that dictate a protein’s destination are often promiscuous. The localization of tail-anchored (TA) proteins, whose transmembrane domain resides at its extreme C-terminus, presents major challenges to protein targeting machineries. This dissertation explores how TA capture and release are spatially and temporally regulated in the Guided Entry of Tail Anchored proteins (GET) pathway and how endoplasmic reticulum (ER) destined TAs are targeted with high fidelity.

A quantitative framework of the Get3 ATPase cycle reveals that ATP and GET pathway effector proteins specifically induce multiple conformational changes in Get3, which culminate in the ATPase activation that drives unidirectional targeting in the pathway. The Get4/5 TA loading complex locks Get3 in the ATP-bound state that is primed for TA protein capture, whereas the TA substrate induces tetramerization of Get3 and activates its ATPase reaction.

Additional analyses define multiple physicochemical features that distinguish TA proteins destined to different organelles. The GET pathway selects for these features at distinct stages using mechanisms such as differential binding, induced fit, and kinetic proofreading after ATP hydrolysis by Get3. These results reveal new roles for the cochaperone Sgt2 in providing key selection filters, and provide a biological logic for the complex cascade of substrate relay events during post-translational membrane protein targeting.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:membrane protein biogenesis, protein targeting and translocation, Guided entry of tail-anchored proteins, substrate selection, fluorescence spectroscopy, allostery, mechanistic enzymology, translocation
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Shan, Shu-ou
Thesis Committee:
  • Rees, Douglas C. (chair)
  • Shan, Shu-ou
  • Chan, David C.
  • Clemons, William M.
Defense Date:19 May 2016
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NIHR01 GM107368
NIH NRSA5T32GM07616
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:05232016-135949451
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05232016-135949451
DOI:10.7907/Z9G73BQN
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1222054110DOIArticle adapated for ch. 2
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Rao, Meera0000-0001-8650-6253
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:9738
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Meera Rao
Deposited On:09 Mar 2017 17:58
Last Modified:04 Oct 2019 00:13

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