This template was adapted from the original submission. Edits were made to enhance scientific accuracy, optimal usability and/or to meet industry-leading design standards for science communication. This figure describes the following steps of the ER protein targeting pathway: 1) Mature mRNA is translated by a ribosome, 2) the signal recognition particle (SRP) recognizes the signal sequence (SS) and binds to the ribosome, pausing translation, 3) the SRP receptor recognizes SRP, allowing the ribosome to bind the translocon and the polypeptide to translocate into the ER lumen, 4) the SRP dissociates from the complex, coupled with GTP hydrolysis, 5) translation resumes and the SS is cleaved by a signal peptidase, 6) translation completes in the ER.