Protein Sorting Overview • As an exception, some proteins are

synthesized within the mitochondria,

Sections
but we will not address them in this
Full-Length Text tutorial.

KEY MECHANISMS OF PROTEIN TRANSPORT • Now, draw a protein emerging from the
ribosomes.
• Gated transport: energy-dependent (nuclear
pores) • Show that from here, our newly synthesized
protein has three possible outcomes.
• Translocation across membranes:
mediated/transmittied by protein translocators Let's illustrate them as follows:
(mitochondrion, post-translational and
• For outcomes 1 and 2: draw completely
cotranslational import into ER or peroxisomes)
synthesized, folded cytosolic proteins. We will
• Vesicular transport: proteins do not cross distinguish them shortly.
membranes (from ER to Golgi, through Golgi
• For outcome 3: redraw the ribosomes and show
stacks or to plasma membrane)
that the mRNA transcript and the nascent
"Post-translational" refers to events or processes that protein remain bound to them.
occur after the translation stage of protein synthesis.
• Now, draw signal sequences at the terminal end
Translation is the process where ribosomes synthesize
of the proteins in outcome two and three, which
proteins based on genetic instructions from mRNA.
are short amino acid sequences – they are
co-translational refers to processes that occur address labels that direct proteins to different
simultaneously with protein synthesis (translation). As a organelles within the cell where they are
nascent protein is being synthesized by the ribosome, it recognized by specific signal receptors.
can already begin undergoing specific modifications or
2. Let's learn some key features of signal sequences
interactions that guide its proper folding, localization, or
before we move on.
assembly into larger complexes.
• Write the following regarding signal sequences:
Topology can describe how components like proteins or
cellular structures are arranged or interact within a • The protein in outcome 1, which lacks a
biological system. signal sequence, folds to its native
Full-Length Text conformation in the cytosol.

Now that we've drawn out a simplified eukaryotic cell, Now, return to our diagram to show the possible
start a table to learn the three key mechanisms of protein destinations for the proteins in outcomes 2 and 3.
transport. • Show that the fully synthesized, folded protein in
• Denote that they include: outcome 2 could travel to any of the following
organelles:
• Gated transport
• Nucleus, where it can pass through
• Translocation across membranes pores in its folded conformation.

• Vesicular transport • Mitochondrion, where it must unfold

before crossing the membrane.
We will address where and when proteins use each of
these transport mechanisms. • Endoplasmic reticulum, where it enters
unfolded.
Now, return to our diagram.
• Peroxisome, where it crosses the
• First, draw messenger RNA (mRNA) in the membrane partially folded.
cytoplasm as a wavy line.
• It could also travel to chloroplasts in
• Draw two ribosomes in the process of plant cells, but we will not discuss this
translating our mRNA transcript. here.
• As a review, DNA is transcribed (is the process • How does this newly synthesized protein enter
of copying genetic information from DNA to these membrane bound organelles?
RNA) in the nucleus to RNA, which is translated
in the cytosol by ribosomes. • It uses the key mechanisms for
transport that we listed at the beginning
0. Now, let's address translation. of this tutorial.
• Write that the synthesis of almost all proteins Let's illustrate them now.
begins in the cytoplasm cytosol.
 • Indicate that the protein may cross the nuclear • Between the Golgi and the plasma
envelope using gated transport. membrane.

• Pores in the nuclear envelope form • Now, draw an arrow from the ER to the first
gates through which molecules can adjacent vesicle to show that proteins travel
travel in both directions. from the ER in membrane-bound vesicles.

• Denote that gated transport in the nucleus is • Use another arrow to show that this vesicle
energy-dependent. delivers proteins to the Golgi apparatus, where
they are processed and modified.
• Proteins that are imported into the
nucleus include those involved in DNA • In general, transport vesicles carry
transcription and replication. cargo derived from the lumen (refers to
the inside space of a tubular structure,
• Indicate that a protein can use translocation to such as blood vessels, intestines, or
enter each of the following organelles: cellular organelles) of one
compartment and fuse with their
• Mitochondria
destination compartment to deliver it.
• ER
• Peroxisome • Again, use arrows to show that the vesicle
• The protein refolds to its appropriate travels through the Golgi stacks in this manner.
conformation in these compartments.
• Draw a final arrow to show that the fully
• Now, denote that translocation is mediated by modified protein buds from the Golgi in a final
protein translocators, which span the vesicle.
peroxisomal membrane, and both outer and
inner membranes mitochondria. • Denote that in vesicular transport, proteins do
not have to cross membranes as they do in the
Finally, return to our diagram so we can address other transport mechanisms.
outcome 3.
• The lumens of organelles mix as
• Show that the signal sequence on the partially transport vesicles fuse with them.
synthesized protein in outcome 3 directs the
entire complex to the ER membrane where it • Thus, proteins avoid the
docks. thermodynamic expense of crossing a
membrane.
• Show that this process also requires a protein
translocator embedded in the ER membrane. 3. This brings us to our final point.

3. Now, let's differentiate the timing of translocation for • Write that compartments are topologically
the proteins in outcomes 2 and 3. We will use symbols equivalent if molecules can get from one to
for cotranslational and posttranslational transport for another without having to cross a membrane.
clarity.
• To illustrate this, shade the lumen of the
• Indicate that in outcome 2, translocation is endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus,
post-translational. and the vesicles that bud from and fuse with
them a single color.
• Thus, proteins can enter the ER before
or after translation is complete. • These spaces are topologically
equivalent because molecules can
• Indicate that in outcome 3, translocation is move between them without crossing a
cotranslational. In other words, ribosomes membrane.
continue synthesizing the protein as it enters the
translocator, unlike the translocation of • Shade the space between the outer and inner
outcome 2, which was post-translational. membrane of the nuclear envelope the same
color.
This brings us to our final transport mechanism:
vesicular transport. • As we illustrated, this space is
continuous with the ER lumen.
• To illustrate this, draw a vesicle in each of the
following locations: . Finally, shade the mitochondrion, nucleus and
peroxisomes with three different colors to illustrate that
• Between the ER and Golgi they are topologically distinct.
• Adjacent to the cisternal stacks of the • Molecules must cross membranes to
Golgi enter these compartments.