While membrane lipids form the basic structure of the lipid bilayer, the active functions of the membrane are dependent on the proteins. Cell adhesion, energy transduction, signaling, cell recognition and transport are just some of the important biological processes carried out by membrane proteins.
There are three ways proteins can associate with the plasma membrane: intrinsic/integral membrane proteins that are embedded in the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer, transmembrane proteins that span across the membrane, which can cross the membrane once (single-pass), or multiple times (multi-pass), and extrinsic or peripheral membrane proteins that associate weakly with the hydrophilic surfaces of the lipid bilayer or intrinsic membrane proteins
Proteins can associate with the membrane in one of three ways. Intrinsic or integral membrane proteins embed in the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer. Experimentally, these proteins can only be isolated by physically disrupting the membrane with detergent or other non-polar solvent. Mono Save topic proteins insert in one leaflet but do not span the membrane. Transmembrane proteins are the classic examples of intrinsic membrane proteins. These span the membrane, typically in an α-helix conformation and can span the membrane multiple times. Some intergral membrane proteins use β-barrels to cross the membrane. These structures are typically large and form water filled channels. Extrinsic or peripheral membrane proteins associate loosely with the hydrophilic surfaces of the lipid bilayer or intrinsic membrane proteins. They form weak hydrophobic, electrostatic or non-covalent bonds, but do not embed with the hydrophobic core of the membrane. These proteins can be dissociated from the membrane without disrupting it through application of polar reagents or high pH solutions. Extrinsic membrane proteins may interact with the inner or outer leaflet.
- What is the plasma membrane?
- What lipids are found in the plasma membrane?
- How do mechanically-gated ion channels facilitate mechanotransduction?
- How do lipid bilayer components move?
- Why are membrane lipids asymmetrical?
- What are membrane reservoirs?
- What is membrane curvature?
- What is membrane trafficking?
- How does traction force affect the nature of adhesion structures like podosomes?steve2018-02-08T13:14:10+08:30
How does traction force affect the nature of adhesion structures like podosomes?
