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AIST TODAYNo.20 Spring 2006 [ PDF:3.4MB ]


Quality control of GPI-anchored proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum


Cells possess several quality control mechanisms for a proper folding and function of protein. Malfunction of the mechanisms causes some protein folding diseases. Many proteins are modified with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but the quality control mechanisms of GPI-anchored proteins are not clear, so far. We developed a model misfolded GPI-anchored protein (Gas1*p). Gas1*p can be modified with a GPI anchor in ER, however, the modified Gas1*p was excreted and degraded rapidly via a proteasome. We found that deacylation of GPI by an enzyme (Bst1p) plays important role in the quality control of GPI-anchored proteins.

Figure
Figure : Proteins are monitored by quality control systems that ensure correct folding before exiting from the ER. There are a number of molecular chaperones and enzymes to assist proper protein folding in the ER. Misfolded proteins that fail to pass the quality control checkpoint are transported back to the cytosol, and degraded by the proteasome. GPI inositol deacylation by Bst1p is required for the quality control of GPI-anchored proteins.

Relational Information

AIST TODAY Vol.6 , No.3 (2006) p.18-19



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