Signal Recognition Particle 72kDa (SRP72)

The SRP72 gene encodes the 72-kD subunit of the signal recognition particle (SRP), a ribonucleoprotein complex that mediates the targeting of proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) .

The complex consists of a 7S (or 7SL) RNA and 6 different proteins, SRP9, SRP14, SRP19, SRP54, SRP68, and SRP72. The proteins are bound to the 7S RNA as monomers (SRP19 and SRP54) or heterodimers (SRP9/SRP14 and SRP68/SRP72). SRP9 and SRP14 constitute the Alu domain of 7S, whereas the other 4 proteins belong to the S domain. SRP has at least 3 distinct functions that can be associated with the protein subunits: signal recognition, translational arrest, and ER membrane targeting by interaction with the docking protein.