In molecular biology, the FHIPEP protein family (Flagellar/Hr/Invasion Proteins Export Pore family)consists of a number of
proteins that constitute the
type III secretion (or signal peptide-independent) pathway apparatus.
This mechanism translocates
proteins
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
lacking an
N-terminal
The N-terminus (also known as the amino-terminus, NH2-terminus, N-terminal end or amine-terminus) is the start of a protein or polypeptide, referring to the free amine group (-NH2) located at the end of a polypeptide. Within a peptide, the ami ...
signal peptide
A signal peptide (sometimes referred to as signal sequence, targeting signal, localization signal, localization sequence, transit peptide, leader sequence or leader peptide) is a short peptide (usually 16-30 amino acids long) present at the N-ter ...
across the
cell membrane in one step, as it does not require an intermediate
periplasmic process to cleave the signal peptide. It is a common pathway amongst
Gram-negative bacteria for secreting
toxic and
flagella
A flagellum (; ) is a hairlike appendage that protrudes from certain plant and animal sperm cells, and from a wide range of microorganisms to provide motility. Many protists with flagella are termed as flagellates.
A microorganism may have f ...
r proteins.
The pathway apparatus comprises three components: two within the
inner membrane and one within the
outer
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