Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Localized mRNAs in Mammalian Cells
Published on: December 17, 2012
Identification of endoplasmic reticulum export motifs for G protein-coupled receptors
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia, USA. guwu@georgiahealth.edu
Abstract:
Coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicle-mediated protein export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be controlled by linear, independent motifs embedded within the cargo. ER export motifs directly interact with selective components of COPII vesicles and enhance cargo recruitment onto COPII vesicles. Moreover, ER export motifs are able to confer their transport abilities to other proteins. We have recently identified a novel ER export motif for α(2B)-adrenergic receptor (α(2B)-AR). This motif selectively interacts with Sec24C/D isoforms of COPII vesicles and facilitates α(2B)-AR export from the ER as well as transport to the cell surface. This motif can also mediate CD8 glycoprotein transport. These studies indicate that ER export of nascent G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) may be directed by specific codes that mediate receptor interaction with the ER-derived COPII vesicles. In this chapter, I discuss experimental approaches to identify ER export motifs for GPCRs by using α(2B)-AR as a model.
Related Concept Videos
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
ER Retrieval Pathway
The ER uses many checkpoints to prevent the entry of incorrectly folded or a resident protein as cargo onto a transport vesicle. These mechanisms...
G-protein Coupled Receptors
G-protein Coupled Receptors

