Organellar peptide deformylases: universality of the N-terminal methionine cleavage mechanism

C Giglione, T Meinnel - Trends in plant science, 2001 - cell.com
Trends in plant science, 2001cell.com
Most mature proteins do not retain their initial N-terminal amino acid (methionine in the
cytosol and N-formyl methionine in the organelles). Recent studies have shown that
dedicated machinery is involved in this process in plants. In addition to cytosolic and
organelle-targeted methionine aminopeptidases, organellar peptide deformylases have
been identified. Here, we attempt to answer questions about the mechanism, specificity and
significance of N-terminal methionine cleavage in plant organelles. It seems to be universal …
Abstract
Most mature proteins do not retain their initial N-terminal amino acid (methionine in the cytosol and N-formyl methionine in the organelles). Recent studies have shown that dedicated machinery is involved in this process in plants. In addition to cytosolic and organelle-targeted methionine aminopeptidases, organellar peptide deformylases have been identified. Here, we attempt to answer questions about the mechanism, specificity and significance of N-terminal methionine cleavage in plant organelles. It seems to be universal because orthologues of plant deformylases are found in most living organisms.
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