RIBOSOME-MEMBRANE INTERACTION AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The role of secretion of proteins for the attachment of ribosomes to membranes has been well established. That another function must exist for membrane-ribosome interaction is suggested by observations on: (a) the active synthesis of proteins on membrane-bound ribosomes of predominantly non-protein secreting cells, and b) the massive proliferation of membrane-bound ribosomes during active growth and development of both secretory and non-secretory tissues. Literature on functional and compositional differences between membrane-bound and free ribosomes is reviewed and it is proposed that a major function of ribosome-membrane interaction is to effect a topological segregation of different populations of ribosomes synthesizing different classes of proteins.