Review abstract


Nature Chemical Biology 2, 584 - 590 (2006)
Published online: 18 October 2006 | doi:10.1038/nchembio834

Trafficking and signaling by fatty-acylated and prenylated proteins

Marilyn D Resh1


A wide variety of signaling proteins are modified by covalently linked fatty acids and/or prenyl groups. These hydrophobic moieties, which include myristate, palmitate, farnesyl and geranylgeranyl, are more than just fat: they provide distinct information that modulates the specificity and efficiency of signal transduction. Recent studies show that lipid modification influences the movement of a signaling protein within the cell and its final destination. Protein lipidation can also confer reversible association with membranes and other signaling proteins. These findings provide new insights into the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms that regulate membrane targeting, trafficking and signaling by lipid-modified proteins.

Top
  1. Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, Box 143, New York, New York 10021, USA. e-mail: m-resh@ski.mskcc.org


MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Research Highlights

Nature Chemical Biology News and Views (01 Apr 2007)

Sticky fingers and CAAX boxes

Nature News and Views (08 Sep 1988)


Extra navigation

Subscribe to Nature Chemical Biology

Subscribe

Search PubMed for

Open Innovation Challenges

  • Optimizing Sub-cellular Localization Tags

    • Deadline: Jan 31 2010
    • Reward: $20,000 USD

    The Seeker is looking for methods to optimize sub-cellular localization tags for protein expression....

  • Delayed Burst Release

    • Deadline: Mar 04 2010
    • Reward: $20,000 USD

    A mechanism is desired that will have little or no release until triggered and then substantially re...

naturejobs