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Assembly of the Human Signal Recognition Particle

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Non-Protein Coding RNAs

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Biophysics ((BIOPHYSICS,volume 13))

Large RNA-protein complexes (ribonucleoprotein particles or RNPs) control fundamental biological processes. Their correct assembly is essential for function and occurs by the ordered addition of proteins to the RNA. A good model system for studying RNP assembly is provided by the Signal Recognition Particle (SRP), an RNP conserved from bacteria to humans, with different degrees of complexity. Human SRP, composed of a single RNA molecule and six pro teins, is responsible for the co-translational targeting of secretory and membrane proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. In vitro studies reveal that the SRP proteins need to be added to the RNA sequentially. If the order of addition is altered, non-native particles are formed. The sequential association of proteins causes conformational changes in the RNA, allowing binding of other proteins. The in vivo assembly is regulated by the translocation of precursors between different cellular compartments. In this chapter we review the current understanding of the human SRP assembly mechanism.

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Abbreviations

EM:

electron microscopy

ER:

endoplasmic reticulum

Ffh:

fifty four homolog

GFP:

green fluorescent protein

GTP:

guanosine triphosphate

GTPase:

gua-nosine triphosphatase

RNC:

ribosome-nascent-chain

RNP:

ribonucleoprotein

rRNA:

ribosomal RNA

SR SRP:

receptor

SS:

signal sequence

SRP:

signal recognition particle

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, UK

    Kiyoshi Nagai

Authors
  1. Elena Menichelli
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  2. Kiyoshi Nagai
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Correspondence to Kiyoshi Nagai .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1055, USA

    Nils G. Walter (Associate Professor of Chemistry) (Associate Professor of Chemistry)

  2. Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA

    Sarah A. Woodson (Professor of Biophysics) (Professor of Biophysics)

  3. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Box 215, Boulder, CO, 80309-0215, USA

    Robert T. Batey (Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry) (Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry)

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Menichelli, E., Nagai, K. (2009). Assembly of the Human Signal Recognition Particle. In: Walter, N.G., Woodson, S.A., Batey, R.T. (eds) Non-Protein Coding RNAs. Springer Series in Biophysics, vol 13. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-70840-7_13

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