The C-terminus of cytochrome b5 confers endoplasmic reticulum specificity by preventing spontaneous insertion into membranes.
The molecular mechanisms that determine the correct subcellular localization of proteins targeted to membranes by tail-anchor sequences are poorly defined. Previously, we showed that two isoforms of the tung oil tree [Vernicia (Aleurites) fordii] tail-anchored Cb5 (cytochrome b5) target specifically to ER (endoplasmic reticulum) membranes both in vivo and in vitro [Hwang, Pelitire, Henderson, Andrews, Dyer and Mullen (2004) Plant Cell 16, 3002-3019]. In the present study, we examine the targeting of various tung Cb5 fusion proteins and truncation mutants to purified intracellular membranes in vitro in order to assess the importance of the charged CTS (C-terminal sequence) in targeting to specific membranes. Removal of the CTS from tung Cb5 proteins resulted in efficient binding to both ER and mitochondria. Results from organelle competition, liposome-binding and membrane proteolysis experiments demonstrated that removal of the CTS results in spontaneous insertion of tung Cb5 proteins into lipid bilayers. Our results indicate that the CTSs from plant Cb5 proteins provide ER specificity by preventing spontaneous insertion into incorrect subcellular membranes.
Henderson
Matthew P A
MP
Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 3Z5.
Hwang
Yeen Ting
YT
Dyer
John M
JM
Mullen
Robert T
RT
Andrews
David W
DW
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015786:Cytochromes b5 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008861:Microsomes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D021381:Protein Transport; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D010940:Plant Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D015786:Cytochromes b5