What drives the translocation of proteins?

Sanford M. Simon, Charles S. Peskin, George F. Oster

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We propose that protein translocation across membranes is driven by biased random thermal motion. This "Brownian ratchet" mechanism depends on chemical asymmetries between the cis and trans sides of the membrane. Several mechanisms could contribute to rectifying the thermal motion of the protein, such as binding and dissociation of chaperonins to the translocating chain, chain coiling induced by pH and/or ionic gradients, glycosylation, and disulfide bond formation. This helps explain the robustness and promiscuity of these transport systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3770-3774
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume89
Issue number9
StatePublished - 1992

Keywords

  • Brownian motion
  • Chaperonins
  • Heat shock proteins
  • Model

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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