Membrane targeting of the small myristoylated protein 2 (SMP-2) in Leishmania major

作者：Heng Joanne; Saunders Eleanor C; Gooley Paul R; McConville Malcolm J; Naderer Thomas; Tull Dedreia^*

来源：Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, 2013, 190(1): 1-5.

DOI：10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.05.005

• Acylation
• Detergent resistant membranes
• Parasites
• Flagellar pocket

Leishmania parasites express three highly conserved small myristoylated proteins (SMPs) that are targeted to distinct membranes. SMP-1 is exclusively found in the flagellum, depending on myristoylation and palmitoylation. In contrast, monoacylated SMP-2 and SMP-4 are localized to the flagellar pocket and plasma membrane, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that unlike SMP-4, SMP-2 resides in detergent resistant membranes, but can be readily solubilized in the presence of high concentrations of salt. We provide evidence that in detergent resistant membranes, SMP-2 forms high molecular weight complexes in vivo. Association with detergent resistant membranes was abrogated in the presence of a C-terminal tag suggesting acylation independent targeting signals. In addition, the N-terminal region of SMP-2 contains sufficient information for membrane targeting, as a GFP-chimera localizes to the flagellar pocket. Thus while the core sequences of the SMPs are highly conserved, individual members have evolved different mechanisms for their diverse Membrane localization.

• 出版日期2013-7