Transportation Governed by Simple Rules (IMAGE)
Caption
Image of the spatial distribution of the Ras protein (fluorescent blue), which is embedded in the cell membrane (edge) and the Golgi-apparatus (center). This photo montage shows how the distribution patterns of Ras are kept in balance: the Ras, equipped with a lipid anchor (red), is transported in membrane vesicles (blue circles) from the Golgi-apparatus to the cell membrane. The enzyme APT1 (green) removes the palmitoylation anchor in those Ras-molecules, which build up in other membranes. The depalmitoylated Ras (orange) then swim freely throughout the cell and are absorbed into the Golgi apparatus, and the cycle can start all over again. Cells thus use a simple principle to transport Ras and other palmitoylated proteins to their destination: a localised distribution centre (Golgi), directed transport to the target destination as well as universal removal of target marks (depalmitoylierung) and subsequent reintegration into the transport cycle.
Credit
Philippe Bastiaens, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology
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