Protein modification in archaeon

Abstract:

The surface layer (S-layer) protein of archaeon was first discovered as glycoprotein in the middle of 1950s. At the beginning of 21 century, N-glycosylated protein was found in Campylobacter jejuni. Since then more and more evidences show that protein glycosylation is a post-translation modification that not only exists in eukaryotes, but also in archaeon and bacteria. During the past 10 years, a great advance has been achieved in post-translation modification of the protein in archaeon such as Haloferax volcanii, Haloarcula japonica, Haloarcula marismortui, Methanococcus maripaludis and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, especially N-glycosylation. On the other hand, little is known about the protein O-glycosylation and lipidation in these species. In this article, our present knowledge of protein glycosylation and lipidation in archaeon are reviewed.