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Nature 433, 367-369 (27 January 2005) | doi:10.1038/433367a; Published online 26 January 2005

Cell biology:  Border crossing

James U. Bowie1

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The 'translocon' complex, which determines whether a protein segment will be inserted into or pushed through the cell membrane, seems to make the decision by performing a thermodynamic measurement.

Cells have a border security system that would put any nation to shame. They need to decide millions of times every nanosecond whether to allow something in or out, and a mistake could mean death.

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