Single translation-dual destination: mechanisms of dual protein targeting in eukaryotes

• Published in: EMBO reports Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 420 - 425
• Main Authors: Karniely, Sharon, Pines, Ophry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.05.2005; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; dual targeting; Humans; isoenzymes; membrane translocation; Protein Binding; Protein Biosynthesis - physiology; Protein Folding; Protein Processing, Post-Translational - physiology; Protein Sorting Signals; Protein Transport; Proteins; Review; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism; signal peptides; subcellular distribution
• ISSN: 1469-221X; 1469-3178; 1469-221X
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.embor.7400394

It is well documented that single eukaryotic genes can give rise to proteins that are localized to several subcellular locations. This is achieved at the level of transcription, splicing and translation, and results in two or more translation products that either harbour or lack specific targeting signals. Nevertheless, the possibility of dual targeting of a single translation product has recently emerged. Here, we review cases of such dual targeting with emphasis on the mechanisms through which these phenomena occur. Proteins that harbour one signal, two separate signals or an overlapping ambiguous signal may follow dual distribution in the cell. The mechanism of dual targeting is driven by the competition or promiscuity of various molecular events. Protein folding, post‐translational modification and protein–protein interaction are key players in this phenomenon.