Genetic isolation of transport signals directing cell surface expression

Membrane proteins represent approximately 30% of the proteome in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes(1). The spatial localization of membrane-bound proteins is often determined by specific sequence motifs(2) that may be regulated in response to physiological changes, such as protein interactions(3) and receptor signalling(4). Identification of signalling motifs is therefore important for understanding membrane protein expression, function and transport mechanisms. We report a genetic isolation of novel motifs that confer surface expression. Further characterization showed that SWTY, one class of these isolated motifs with homology to previously reported forward transport motifs(5), has the ability to both override the RKR endoplasmic reticulum localization signal and potentiate steady-state surface expression. The genetically isolated SWTY motif is functionally interchangeable with a known motif in cardiac potassium channels and an identified motif in an HIV coreceptor, and operates by recruiting 14-3-3 proteins. This study expands the repertoire of and enables a screening method for membrane trafficking signals.