This experiment by Hugh Pelham’s group, seen here on day 307 of #LMB365, demonstrates quality control of membrane proteins. A GFP-tagged SNARE protein (yellow) that normally goes to the plasma membrane in yeast (right) is completely redirected to the vacuole if an acidic residue is placed in the single C-terminal transmembrane domain (left). This aberrant transmembrane domain is recognised in the Golgi apparatus by a ubiquitin ligase, in this case Tul1, and ubiquitination of the protein directs it to the vacuole. The Nomarski image of the cells has been rendered as 3D elevation.
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
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