SRP54 is a 54-kDa subunit of the signal recognition particle （SRP）， a cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complex which leads the translocation of newly synthesized secretory proteins from the polysome to the endoplasmic reticulum. SRP is composed of six polypeptides and a tRNA-like molecule known as 7SL RNA. SRP54 is a GTP-binding protein that directly binds the signal sequences of nascent secretory and membrane proteins. Anti-SRP autoantibodies take place in patients with an autoimmune chronic muscle inflammation called polymyositis. These auto-antibodies predominantly recognize the SRP54 subunit and in addition are able to immunoprecipitate several of the SRP subunits and the RNA component. Nearly 5% of myositis patients are positive for anti-SRP autoantibodies， increasing to 18% in the subgroup of Jo-1 autoantibody-negative patients. The classic ’anti-SRP syndrome’ is a severe form of polymyositis in which the myositic inflammation is acute and aggressive onset， with common myalgias and cardiac involvement. Normally there is a poor reaction to therapy with a 5-year survival rate of about 25%.
