Beyond the signal sequence: protein routing in health and disease

Abstract

Receptors, hormones, enzymes, ion channels, and structural components of the cell are created by the act of protein synthesis. Synthesis alone is insufficient for proper function, of course; for a cell to operate effectively, its components must be correctly compartmentalized. The mechanism by which proteins maintain the fidelity of localization warrants attention in light of the large number of different molecules that must be routed to distinct subcellular loci, the potential for error, and resultant disease. This review summarizes diseases known to have etiologies based on defective protein folding or failure of the cell's quality control apparatus and presents approaches for therapeutic intervention.