The N-end rule: functions, mysteries, uses.
The N-end rule relates the in vivo half-life of a protein to the identity of its N-terminal residue. Similar but distinct versions of the N-end rule operate in all organisms examined, from mammals to fungi and bacteria. In eukaryotes, the N-end rule pathway is a part of the ubiquitin system. I discuss the mechanisms and functions of this pathway, and consider its applications.
Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA. varshavskya@starbase1.caltech.edu
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Varshavsky
D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006207:Half-Life; D008025:Ligases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017231:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mos / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D000217:Acyltransferases; C066066:UBR1 protein, S cerevisiae; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D017231:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mos; D000581:Amidohydrolases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D008025:Ligases