Biologists led by Prof. Erika Isono from Konstanz University have discovered
a previously unknown function of the SH3P2 protein, which has an important
role in protein transport.

Plasma membrane proteins that will be degraded are transported to the
vacoule, the largest compartment in the plant cell. For this reason, the
transport pathway of a protein from the plasma membrane to the vacuole is
one of the major transport pathways within a plant cell. The ubiquitin
molecule marks the protein for transport, and transport proteins recognize
and bind ubiquitin and carry it to the vacuole, where the protein will be
degraded.

Isono's research discovered that the SH3P2 protein functions as a ubiquitin
adaptor. It detects ubiquitin and guides it to the next station in the
transport network called the ESCRT machinery, through which it reaches the
vacuole. The research team is now looking at an additional protein called
AMSH that plays a special role in this process. AMSH has the capability to
remove ubiquitin.

[www.uni-konstanz.de]
ts/news/news-in-detail/versandwege-der-zelle/