Visualisation of translating ribosomes reveals the earliest steps of protein misfolding in human disease

The majority of cellular proteins must adopt a particular three-dimensional structure for function1. However, protein folding is a perilous journey due to competing polypeptide misfolding events which result in inactive structures. In this study, we examine the earliest steps of protein misfolding during the biosynthesis of alpha-1-antitrypsin, a secreted plasma protein whose misfolding results in organ disease. Using human cells, we find that, like co-translational protein folding, misfolding, assembly and biosynthesis are interconnected processes. At the molecular level misfolding of alpha-1-antitrypsin is initiated by a molten globule-like folding intermediate formed co-translationally on the ribosome. The ribosomal complexes subsequently form assemblies by recruiting released proteins, inducing translational arrest. Our data also reveal that a pharmacological chaperone modulates this process. The existence of co- and post-translational (mis)folding and assembly pathways reveals how some proteins form functional complexes, has implications for the pathogenesis of conformational diseases, and suggests novel therapeutic avenues.