title: Multiple functions of tail-anchor domains of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins.
abstract: Tail-anchored proteins form a distinct class of membrane proteins that have a single membrane anchor sequence at their C-terminus, the tail-anchor. Their N-terminal portion is exposed to the cytosol. We have studied the roles of tail-anchor domains of proteins residing in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Four distinct functions of the tail-anchor domain were identified. First, the domain mediates the targeting to mitochondria in a process that probably requires a net positive charge at the C-terminally flanking segment. Second, tail-anchor domains facilitate the insertion into the mitochondrial outer membrane. Third, the tail-anchor is responsible for the assembly of the respective protein into functional multi-subunit complexes; and fourth, tail-anchor domains can stabilize such complexes.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physiologische Chemie der Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5, D-81377, Munich, Germany. rapaport@bio.med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Shukry J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.forename: Andreja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasiljev
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Neupert
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rapaport
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins