The diversity of organelle protein import mechanisms.

It was once believed that common mechanisms underpin the transfer of proteins across the membrane systems of organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes. Now that many of the core components of the translocases have been indentified, results discussed at a recent conference [Max-Delbrück-Centrum Symposium "Protein Transport and Stability"; Berlin, Germany; 21-26 March 2001. Organized by Thomas Sommer and Enno Hartmann.] stress just how diverse the mechanisms of transport into these organelles really are.