The Human cell

Cells are the machinery of life. Much of the bustling activity in the human cell results from proteins performing specific tasks in
designated compartments, the organelles. This poster describes the results and ongoing creation of an image-based atlas of the
Nucleoplasm

The nucleoplasm is enclosed by the nuclear

membrane and embeds the nucleoli to form
the nucleus. It surrounds the chromatin and
nuclear substructures, the nuclear bodies.
The nucleoplasm is the site of DNA repli-
cation and transcription, tightly regulated
Nucleoli

The nucleoli are nonmembrane-bound struc-

tures in the nucleus. They are the sites of
ribosome synthesis, processing, and assem-
bly. These are complex processes controlled
in nucleolar substructures such as the fibril-
lar center. Nucleoli also comprise proteins
Nuclear membrane

The nuclear membrane physically isolates

processes controlling cellular growth and
subcellular distribution of the human proteome. Explore it further at www.proteinatlas.org. division.
involved in cell cycle regulation and cell
stress responses.
the DNA in the nucleus from the cytoplasm.
The inner membrane is the anchoring site of
nuclear chromatin, while the outer membrane
is continuous with the endoplasmic reticu-
lum. Nuclear pores are scattered through-
out the membrane, regulating large molecule
transport in and out of the nucleus.

the human
protein atlas
The Human Protein Atlas presents the trans-
lated human genome captured in millions
of images collected using high-resolution
microscopy. The Cell Atlas, Tissue Atlas, and
Cancer Atlas provide a comprehensive over-
view of gene expression–together with the
spatial distribution of corresponding pro-
teins–across organs, tissues, and cell lines
at subcellular resolution.
Nucleoplasm
Vesicles
organelle Nucleoli Nuclear membrane Actin Intermediate
proteome Microtubules
Mitochondria filaments filaments
The cellular function of proteins is dicta-
ted by their location and interactions with The actin filaments are polarized filaments The intermediate filaments are part of the The microtubules are the stiffest of the
other proteins or substrates. Revealing the that are part of the cytoskeleton and provide cytoskeleton and provide physical support cytoskeleton components and are essential
human proteome’s spatial distribution is thus structure to the cell. They interact directly and stabilization to the cell, enabling it to for maintaining the internal architecture
essential to understanding cell biology. By vi- cytoskeleton with focal adhesions and membrane-bound withstand mechanical stress and tension. and polarity of the cell. They are involved in
sualizing the nonsecreted human proteome proteins, allowing the cell to respond to extra- They also participate in chromatin organi- spindle formation during mitosis, and also
Actin filaments cellular stimuli and control cellular motility. zation by anchoring the DNA to the nuclear form a network facilitating intracellular trans-
using high-resolution confocal microscopy,
the molecular composition of organelles and This dynamic remodeling ability also makes lamina, which lines the inner part of the port. Cell motility requires rapid rearrange-
Intermediate filaments
substructures has been determined. them essential for cellular division. nuclear membrane. ment of microtubules.
Microtubules

multilocalizing
proteome Mitochondria Cytosol Centrosome
Over one-third of human proteins are found
in multiple organelles. The presence of a sin- Each mitochondrion is enclosed by double The cytosol is the semifluid substance within The centrosome is a small and distinct or-
gle protein at several locations may reflect its membranes, the inner one folding into cris- the cell that, together with all nonnuclear ganelle responsible for organizing microtu-
dynamic distribution, and suggests multiple tae. They are responsible for production of organelles, forms the cytoplasm. It is com- bules in the cell. It consists of two centrioles,
roles in cell physiology. Understanding the cellular energy, and are also involved in sig- posed mainly of proteins, ions, and amino which are surrounded by a matrix of proteins
multilocalizing proteome is key for discover- naling, cell death, and cellular differentia- acids. Several cellular processes, including named the “pericentriolar material.” The
ing novel pathways underpinning cellular tion. They are the only organelle with their protein synthesis, interorganelle transport, centrosome is a key regulator of cell division
dynamics and developing a holistic view of own genome, which codes for rRNA, tRNA, and many metabolic reactions occur in the and also important for cell shape, polarity,
the human cell. and proteins involved in energy metabolism. cytosol. and mobility.

Plasma membrane
CytoSOL

Endoplasmic reticulum
cell cycle- Cell line Endoplasmic
dependent proteome transcriptome Golgi Apparatus Vesicles
Golgi Apparatus reticulum
The cell cycle describes the process by Expression of protein-coding genes has been
which cells grow and divide. This dynamic analyzed in a large set of human cell lines The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a mem- The Golgi apparatus consists of stacks of The small membrane-bound organelles,
and tightly regulated process drives chan- of different cellular origins. One-third of all branous network consisting of sheets and interconnected membranous disks, cister- known collectively as vesicles, include endo-
ges in abundance and spatial redistribution genes are differentially expressed, indica- tubules that span the cytoplasm. The rough nae, in a ribbon-like structure close to the somes, lysosomes, peroxisomes, lipid droplets,
of many proteins. Cell cycle dysregulation ting cell type-specific functions related to ER is covered with ribosomes that translate nucleus. It plays a central role in the se- and transport vesicles including secretory
can lead to diseases such as cancer. the origin of the cell line. The majority of 1995-96 most of the transmembrane and secreted cretory pathway, since it is involved in the granules. The diversity of vesicles is reflect-
Knowledge about the cell cycle proteome genes are expressed in all cells and drive 1975 Martin Chalfie proteins. The smooth ER lacks ribosomes, modification and sorting of proteins that are ed in their plethora of functions, such as
is therefore essential for understanding rudimentary processes such as metabolism Günter Blobel Georges Köhler develops GFP 2001 but contains the machinery for synthesis of transported to other organelles in the cell, specialized metabolic reactions, transport,
health, aging, and disease. or proliferation. elucidates role and César as gene expression First draft of the lipids and other biomolecules. as well as to the extracellular space. secretion, and degradation of biomolecules.
of signal peptide Milstein develop marker; Roger Tsien human genome
for subcellular first monoclonal creates multicolored completed
1962 localization of antibodies mutants of GFP
(Nobel Prize 2008)
(Human Genome
Project and 2006
Osamu Shimomura proteins (Nobel (Nobel Prize
Prize 1999) 1984) Celera Eric Betzig develops PALM
describes GFP Genomics) (Nobel Prize 2014)
isolated from
1955-56 jellyfish, Plasma membrane Secreted
Christian de Duve A. victoria (Nobel 2015
describes lysosome Prize 2008) Tissue-based human proteome The plasma membrane physically separates Secreted proteins can often be identified by
highlights of cell biology 1933
and peroxisome
published (Human Protein Atlas)
vesicles; George the cell’s interior from the surrounding envi- the presence of a signal peptide. This localiza-
and microscopy 1852 1873 Ernst Ruska Palade describes ronment. It is the site of cell–cell interactions tion signal results in active transport out of the
develops first ribosomes on and communications, and anchors the cell to cell, predominantly via the secretory pathway.
Ernst Abbe describes
George Stokes describes
wavelength change resolution limit for
electron microscope endoplasmic reticulum
(Nobel Prize 1974)
1994 neighboring cells or the extracellular matrix. They play a crucial role for inter- and intracel-
(Nobel Prize 1986)
light microscopes Stefan Hell develops Transmembrane proteins in the cell mem- lular communication and include antibodies,
1673 between fluorescent
absorption and emission STED microscopy brane are important for signal transduction peptide hormones, coagulation factors, growth
Antonie van (Stokes shift) (Nobel Prize 2014) and transportation of molecules. factors, and other signaling molecules.
Leeuwenhoek
manufactures
single lens
microscope
1989
William Moerner cell biology highlights
1665 detects single
Robert Hooke fluorophore MicroscopY highlights
coins the 1945 1935 1985 (Nobel Prize 2014)
term “cell”
Keith Porter, Frits Zernike develops 1957 Nils Åslund GFP = Green fluorescent protein
publishes first 3D TEM = Transmission electron microscopy
Albert Claude, phase contrast Marvin Minsky
stack from confocal STED = Stimulated emission depletion microscopy
1595-1610 1941 and Ernest microscopy
(Nobel PrIze 1953)
patents principles of
confocal microscopy
laser scanning PALM = Photoactivated localization microscopy

The first compound

1833 Albert Coons
Fullam describe
organization of
microscope
is first to use
microscopes Robert Brown
describes the
1898 antibodies
cell using TEM
made (A. Claude Nobel
cell nucleus 1838-39 Camillo Golgi coupled to
Prize 1974)
Matthias 1890 1891 describes internal fluorescent
Sponsored by To explore the human proteome in more depth, visit: Scan this
Schleiden and Paul Ehrlich reticular apparatus molecules
Theodor Schwann
formulate
Richard Altmann 
describes
bioblasts (later
describes
antibodies
later known as the
Golgi apparatus
(Nobel Prize 1906)
www.proteinatlas.org QR code
to learn more
about the
“cell theory” mitochondria) in (Nobel Prize
1908) Online version of this poster: human cell.
posters.sciencemag.org/humancell
muscle of beetle,  Produced by the Science/AAAS
D. marginalis Custom Publishing Office