Translocation of a lysosomal enzyme across the microsomal membrane requires signal recognition particle.

Signal recognition particle (SRP), an 11S ribonucleoprotein (Walter and Blobel (1982) Nature 299, 691-698), is required for translocation of secretory proteins across microsomal membranes (Walter and Blobel (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 7112-7116) and for asymmetric integration into microsomal membranes of a transmembrane protein (Anderson et al., (1982) J. Cell Biol. 93, 501-506). We demonstrate here that SRP is also required for translocation of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D across microsomal membranes.