Evidence for the loop model of signal-sequence insertion into the endoplasmic reticulum

The insertion of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by short hydrophobic domains called signal sequences, which are usually cleaved during insertion. We previously constructed DNAs encoding vesicular stomatitis virus glycoproteins with N-terminal extensions preceding the signal sequence and showed that these extensions allowed normal signal-sequence function and cleavage in vivo. To analyze signal sequence topology during membrane insertion, we generated a point mutation that blocks cleavage of these signal sequences. After expressing these proteins in HeLa cells, we used proteolysis of microsomal membranes to determine that the N terminus of the signal sequence and the C terminus of each protein remain on the cytoplasmic side of the endoplasmic reticulum after insertion. This result indicates that the proteins were inserted in a looped configuration. Extending this finding, we were able to reverse the orientation of such a mutant protein by deleting its normal C-terminal transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. In addition to demonstrating that a signal sequence can function as a membrane anchor, these findings show that except for the presence of a cleavage site, the cleaved signal sequence of a type I transmembrane protein is structurally and functionally equivalent to the noncleaved signal sequences of type II transmembrane proteins.