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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays
Published on: October 8, 2015
Multiple conformational switches in a GTPase complex control co-translational protein targeting
Xin Zhang1, Christiane Schaffitzel, Nenad Ban
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
The signal recognition particle (SRP) and SRP receptor (SR) GTPases control protein targeting via conformational changes, not a typical GTPase switch. Cargo accelerates assembly and delays activation, ensuring precise protein delivery.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The GTPase switch model explains GTPase regulation via nucleotide binding.
- Signal recognition particle (SRP) and SRP receptor (SR) GTPases mediate co-translational protein targeting.
- SRP and SR deviate from the classical GTPase switch model.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the regulatory mechanism of SRP and SR GTPases in protein targeting.
- Elucidate the role of conformational rearrangements in SRP-SR complex function.
- Determine how cargo influences SRP-SR complex assembly and GTPase activation.
Main Methods:
- Real-time fluorescence assays to monitor complex assembly and GTPase activation.
- Biochemical analysis of SRP-SR interactions and conformational changes.
Main Results:
- SRP-SR complex assembly is accelerated over 100-fold by ribosome-bound cargo.
- Cargo delays SRP-SR GTPase activation by 8-12 fold, creating a temporal window.
- Conformational rearrangements in the SRP-SR complex drive cargo unloading.
Conclusions:
- SRP and SR GTPases employ a unique mechanism involving conformational changes for protein targeting regulation.
- Cargo binding acts as a critical regulator, enhancing efficiency and fidelity of protein delivery.
- The SRP-SR system provides self-sufficient spatial and temporal control over co-translational targeting.
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