Polypeptides usually carry signal peptide on the N-terminal, which facilitates entrance into endoplasmic reticulum to undergo further post-translational modifications. While signal peptides are commonly protein-specific, I wonder if there is "general" signal peptides which can be used among plants. Hereby, it would enable more convenient protein expressions in various plants.
Your responses would be really appreciated. Thank you.
Hello Ratna,
I know only of two such 'general' signal sequences at the N-terminal of proteins.
In plant, there is a chloroplast-addressing N-terminal sequence which is a stretch of polyserine residues immediately after or very close to the N-term methionine.
In plant and animal, the adressing signal to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is also well known: immediately after or close to the N-term methionin, you will find one or a few negatively charged residues then a stretch of hydrophobic residues (between 15 and 20 residues-long) then some positively charged residues. They all form the ER-addressing signal.
There is also mitochondrial addressing sequences.
Best and happy new year!
Philippe
Dear Dr. Philippe,
Thank you so much for your very nice answers.
As you mentioned, ER-addressing signal peptides are common in both plants and animals. Yet, I am curious if they can be interchangeably used –using plant signal peptide in animal or the opposite. I hardly find some report about it. Do you think it is possible?
Best regard,
Ratna
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