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. 1992 May 1;89(9):3770–3774. doi: 10.1073/pnas.89.9.3770

What drives the translocation of proteins?

S M Simon 1, C S Peskin 1, G F Oster 1
PMCID: PMC525572  PMID: 1349170

Abstract

We propose that protein translocation across membranes is driven by biased random thermal motion. This "Brownian ratchet" mechanism depends on chemical asymmetries between the cis and trans sides of the membrane. Several mechanisms could contribute to rectifying the thermal motion of the protein, such as binding and dissociation of chaperonins to the translocating chain, chain coiling induced by pH and/or ionic gradients, glycosylation, and disulfide bond formation. This helps explain the robustness and promiscuity of these transport systems.

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Selected References

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