THIS ISSUE

摘要

A protein channel has been hypothesized as a component of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to account for the fact that misfolded proteins and non-enveloped viruses can pass through the ER into the cytoplasm. Deri protein in yeast and the Derlins in other eukaryotes are examples of protein types that might function in such a dislocation channel or 'dislocon'. But Hidde Ploegh, writing in our occasional Hypothesis series, suggests an alternative mechanism that might do the job without the need for a protein-based channel.