1996 Volume 21 Issue 3 Pages 184-190
Extracellular signals such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors are recognized by a variety of membrane-spanning receptors. Some classes of these receptors interact with signal-transducing molecules associated with the intracellular surface of the membranes. Many of these molecules are co- or post-translationally modified by specific lipids, which are likely to act as a “membrane anchor” for localization of the modified proteins at appropriate membranes. In some cases, however, the lipids linked to proteins provide specific interactions between signal-transducing molecules. Here we will review the protein lipidation and its role as a mediator of specific protein-protein interactions. Functions of recently identified heteroacylation of retinal proteins are also discussed.
