Biological Glossary | What is 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 (3-60 amino acids long) sequence at the front of the protein that directs the protein to specific locations in the cell. It presents at the N-terminus (or occasionally nonclassically at the C-terminus or internally of most newly synthesized proteins that are destined toward the secretory pathway. Signal peptides function like a delivery address, telling the cell where to send the protein for it to function appropriately. They are essential for both membrane-bound and secretory proteins. Once the protein reaches its intended location, the signal peptide is often cleaved off.
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