title: Disassembly and domain structure of the proteins in the signal-recognition particle.
abstract: The signal-recognition particle (SRP) is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex consisting of six different polypeptide chains and a 7SL RNA. It participates in initiating the translocation of proteins across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. SRP was disassembled in 2 M KCl into three components, one RNP composed of 7SL RNA and the 54-kDa and 19-kDa proteins, and two heterodimers consisting of the 72/68-kDa and the 14/9-kDa proteins respectively. The 54-kDa protein could be released from the RNP subparticle by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose in Mg2+-depleted buffer, while the 19-kDa protein remained bound to the 7SL RNA. The domain structure of SRP proteins was probed by using mild elastase treatment and protein-specific antibodies. It was found that the 72, 68, 54 and 19-kDa SRP proteins were proteolytically processed in distinct steps. Most remarkably a protein fragment of 55-kDa, generated from the 72-kDa SRP protein, and a 35-kDa fragment from the 54-kDa SRP protein were both released from the RNP particle. Fragments generated from the 68-kDa protein and detectable with the anti-(68-kDa protein) antibody remained associated with the RNP particle. Cleavage of the SRP proteins by elastase at 2.5 micrograms/ml resulted in partial loss of activity, while 10 micrograms/ml caused complete inactivation of the particle. Neither the elongation arrest of IgG light chain nor its translocation across SRP-depleted microsomal membranes was promoted. The implications of these results on the possible interaction between the SRP subunits are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018271:Signal Recognition Particle
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D018271:Signal Recognition Particle; C503637:Srp72 protein, mouse; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase