Unusual topogenic sequence directs prion protein biogenesis

Charles D. Lopez, C. Spencer Yost, Stanley B. Prusiner, Richard M. Myers, Vishwanath R. Lingappa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

125 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biosynthetic studies of the prion protein (PrP) have shown that two forms of different topology can be generated from the same pool of nascent chains in cell-free translation systems supplemented with microsomal membranes. A transmembrane form is the predominant product generated in wheat germ (WG) extracts, whereas a completely translocated (secretory) form is the major product synthesized in rabbit reticulocyte lysates (RRL). An unusual topogenic sequence within PrP is now shown to direct this system-dependent difference. The actions of this topogenic sequence were independent of on-going translation and could be conferred to heterologous proteins by the engineering of a discrete set of codons. System-dependent topology conferred by addition of RRL to WG translation products suggests that this sequence interacts with one or more cytosolic factors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)226-229
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume248
Issue number4952
StatePublished - Apr 13 1990
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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