Sequence of a second human KDEL receptor

Retention of luminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins is mediated via a conserved carboxy-terminal tetrapeptide that serves as a signal for their retrieval from subsequent compartments of the secretory pathway. The signal is recognized by a receptor molecule that is believed to cycle between the Golgi apparatus and the ER. This receptor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is encoded by the ERD2 gene, and a human cDNA homologue of the gene has been isolated. Binding of ligand by the product of this gene results in a shift of its steady-state location from Golgi to ER, suggesting that retrograde transport has been triggered. Here we report the identification of a related human protein with similar properties. This indicates that there are at least two distinct genes in humans that encode functional KDEL receptors.