An alternative pathway for membrane protein biogenesis at the endoplasmic reticulum

Abstract

The heterotrimeric Sec61 complex is a major site for the biogenesis of transmembrane proteins (TMPs), accepting nascent TMP precursors that are targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the signal recognition particle (SRP). Unlike most single-spanning membrane proteins, the integration of type III TMPs is completely resistant to small molecule inhibitors of the Sec61 translocon. Using siRNA-mediated depletion of specific ER components, in combination with the potent Sec61 inhibitor ipomoeassin F (Ipom-F), we show that type III TMPs utilise a distinct pathway for membrane integration at the ER. Hence, following SRP-mediated delivery to the ER, type III TMPs can uniquely access the membrane insertase activity of the ER membrane complex (EMC) via a mechanism that is facilitated by the Sec61 translocon. This alternative EMC-mediated insertion pathway allows type III TMPs to bypass the Ipom-F-mediated blockade of membrane integration that is seen with obligate Sec61 clients. O’Keefe et al. investigate the integration of type III single-pass transmembrane proteins targeted to the ER and examine the roles of the ER membrane complex, Sec61 complex and signal recognition particle receptor. As a result, the authors propose an alternative mechanism of insertion, reconciling the ability of type III transmembrane proteins to bypass an ipomoeassin-F-mediated blockade of membrane integration.