title: Models for transmembrane translocation of proteins.
abstract: Various models for the transmembrane translocation of secreted and membrane-spanning proteins are reviewed in the light of available experimental data. Particular emphasis is placed on the crucial distinction between models where the protein passes through a hydrophilic 'tunnel' through the membrane, and models where translocation takes place through the non-polar intramembranous environment. It is concluded that rather simple reasoning in terms of a protein's behaviour in polar versus non-polar milieux apparently can tell us quite a lot about the process of translocation.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011506:Proteins