title: Signal sequences. The limits of variation.
abstract: Variations in length and composition of the charged N-terminal, central hydrophobic and polar C-terminal regions in a large sample of signal sequences have been mapped, both as a function of the overall length of the sequence, and in an absolute sense, i.e. various "extremes" have been sought. The results show subtle differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic sequences, but the general impression of signal sequences as being highly variable is reinforced. Criteria for a "minimal" signal sequence are suggested and discussed.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006224:Cricetinae; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000032:analysis; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D010455:Peptides; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals