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Signal peptide cleavage of a type I membrane protein, HCMV US11, is dependent on its membrane anchor

Authors

  • A. Rehm
  • P. Stern
  • H.L. Ploegh
  • D. Tortorella

Journal

  • EMBO Journal

Citation

  • EMBO J 20 (7): 1573-1582

Abstract

  • The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) US11 polypeptide is a type I membrane glycoprotein that targets major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules for destruction in a proteasome-dependent manner. Although the US11 signal sequence appears to be a classical N-terminal signal peptide in terms of its sequence and cleavage site, a fraction of newly synthesized US11 molecules retain the signal peptide after the N-linked glycan has been attached and translation of the US11 polypeptide has been completed. Delayed cleavage of the US11 signal peptide is determined by the first four residues, the so-called n-region of the signal peptide. Its replacement with the four N-terminal residues of the H-2K b signal sequence eliminates delayed cleavage. Surprisingly, a second region that affects the rate and extent of signal peptide cleavage is the transmembrane region close to the C-terminus of US11. Deletion of the transmembrane region of US11 (US11-180) significantly delays processing, a delay overcome by replacement with the H-2K b signal sequence. Thus, elements at a considerable distance from the signal sequence affect its cleavage.


DOI

doi:10.1093/emboj/20.7.1573