
Science Resources RSS Feeds
|
 |
 |
 |
Elastic interactions of membrane proteins
May 04, 2007
Cellular survival relies crucially on the ability to receive and communicate signals from and to the outside world. A major part of this regulation and communication is performed by proteins within the membrane of a cell. How these proteins work is an important topic in biology, and one which these scientists have excellently clarified by computational techniques. Tristan Ursell and colleagues have examined the elasticity of the membrane, which changes thickness to accommodate the proteins embedded within it. Proteins respond to stimuli by altering their shape to perform specific tasks, such as channel proteins, which allow the flow of ions in only one formation. Ursell created a physical model which shows that the membrane itself can communicate structural and hence formational information between membrane proteins. Hence, proteins can "talk" and "respond" to each other using the membrane as a generic "voice."
This is an exciting development, published in PLoS Computational Biology, which shows that the membrane's elastic forces can ultimately dictate the formation, organization, and therefore effects, of the proteins within it.
Public Library of Science
|
 |
Related Membrane Proteins Current Events and Membrane Proteins News Articles Membrane Proteins Current Events and Membrane Proteins News RSS University of Minnesota invention will help speed development of drug treatments for heart failure Research conducted by University of Minnesota scientists, in collaboration with Celladon Corporation, has led to the invention of technology to more rapidly identify compounds for the treatment of heart failure.
Small nanoparticles bring big improvement to medical imaging If you're watching the complex processes in a living cell, it is easy to miss something important-especially if you are watching changes that take a long time to unfold and require high-spatial-resolution imaging.
High-res view of zinc transport protein How much difference can a tenth of a nanometer make? When it comes to figuring out how proteins work, an improvement in resolution of that miniscule amount can mean the difference between seeing where atoms are and understanding how they interact.
New computer simulation helps explain folding in important cellular protein Most parts of living organisms come packaged with ribbons. The ribbons are proteins-chains of amino acids that must fold into three-dimensional structures to work properly.
New windows opened on cell-to-cell interactions Applying biological molecules from cell membranes to the surfaces of artificial materials is opening peepholes on the very basics of cell-to-cell interaction.
Spontaneous Assembly: A New Look at How Proteins Assemble and Organize Themselves into Complex Patterns Self-assembling and self-organizing systems are the Holy Grails of nanotechnology, but nature has been producing such systems for millions of years.
Intestinal cells surprisingly active in pursuit of nutrition and defense Every cell lining the small intestine bristles with thousands of tightly packed microvilli that project into the gut lumen, forming a brush border that absorbs nutrients and protects the body from intestinal bacteria.
New nanoparticles could revolutionize therapeutic drug discovery A revolutionary new protein stabilisation technique has been developed by scientists funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) which could lead to 30 per cent more proteins being available as potential targets for drug development - opening up exciting possibilities in drug discovery.
Structural biology scores with protein snapshot In a landmark technical achievement, investigators in the Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology have used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to determine the structure of the largest membrane-spanning protein to date.
'Holy powder' ingredient makes membranes behave for better health Revered in India as "holy powder," the marigold-colored spice known as turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems. In recent years, research into the healing powers of turmeric's main ingredient, curcumin, has burgeoned, as its astonishing array of antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral and other properties has been revealed. More Membrane Proteins Current Events and Membrane Proteins News Articles
|
 |

|
Membrane Structural Biology: With Biochemical and Biophysical Foundations
by Mary Luckey (Author)
Membrane Structural Biology brings together a physicochemical analysis of the membrane with the latest structural biology on membrane lipids and proteins to offer an exciting portrayal of biomembranes. Written with remarkable clarity, this text appears at a time when membranes have moved back into the scientific spotlight and will provide a unique foundation for advanced students and working scientists. The structure, function, and biogenesis of membrane lipids and proteins are examined, bioinformatics and computational approaches to membrane components are introduced, and the high-resolution structures that are giving new insights into the vital roles membranes play are discussed. The many correlations between membrane research and human health are discussed and key themes for future...
|

|
Membrane Protein Purification and Crystallization, Second Edition: A Practical Guide
by Carola Hunte (Editor), Gebhard von Jagow (Editor), Hermann Schagger (Editor)
This second edition of Membrane Protein Purification and Crystallization, A Practical Guide is written for bench scientists working in the fields of biochemistry, biology, and proteomic research. This guide presents isolation and crystallization techniques in a concise form, emphasizing the critical aspects unique to membrane proteins. It explains the principles of the methods and provides protocols of general use, permitting researchers and students new to this area to adapt these techniques to their particular needs. This edition is not only an update but is comprised mainly of new contributions. It is the first monograph compiling the essential approaches for membrane protein crystallization, and emphasizes recent progress in production and purification of recombinant membrane...
|

|
Structural Genomics on Membrane Proteins
by Kenneth H. Lundstrom (Editor)
While the genomic revolution has quickly led to the deposit of more than 30,000 structures in the protein data bank (PDB), less than one percent of those contributions represent membrane proteins despite the fact that membrane proteins constitute some 20 percent of all proteins. This discrepancy becomes significantly troublesome when it is coupled with the fact that 60 percent of current drugs are based on targeting this group of proteins, a trend that does not seem likely to reverse. Structural Genomics on Membrane Proteins provides an excellent overview on novel research in bioinformatics and modeling on membranes, as well as the latest technological developments being employed in expression, purification, and crystallography to obtain high-resolution structures on membrane...
|

|
Bluebonnet - 100% All Natural Whey Protein Isolate Powder Gluten-Free - 1.1 lbs PDR
by Bluebonnet
Bluebonnets 100% Natural Whey Protein Isolate Powder is one of the purest, undenatured whey protein products on the market containing 26 g of protein/serving with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Whey protein not only has the highest biological value (BV) of any protein, it is also fast-acting, which means that its naturally occurring immunoglobulins and essential amino acids, such as BCAAs and glutamic acid, are easily and readily available to the body for immediate use.
|
![The World Acclaims Eternal Protein Man [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GBa1iIUtL._SL160_.jpg)
|
The World Acclaims Eternal Protein Man [Explicit]
The Membranes (Primary Contributor)
|

|
Mechanosensitive Ion Channels, Part A, Volume 58 (Current Topics in Membranes)
by Owen P. Hamill (Editor), Sidney A. Simon (Editor), Dale J. Benos (Editor)
Membranes are essential cellular organelles. They not only define cells and other organelles, but also are critical in the cell function by selectively regulating the passage of molecules by acting as a matrix for other signaling molecules, and as conduits of information transfer between the external environment and the cell interior. This series was originally added in 1970 and has since provided a systematic, comprehensive, and rigorous approach to specific topics relevant to the study of cellular membranes. Each volume is a guest edited compendium of membrane biology. This series has been a mainstay for practicing scientists and students interested in this critical field of biology. Articles covered in the volume include The Mechanical Properties of Bilayers; Molecular Dynamic Modeling...
|

|
ESR Spectroscopy in Membrane Biophysics (Biological Magnetic Resonance)
by Marcus A. Hemminga (Author), Lawrence J. Berliner (Author)
Spectroscopic methods are not only important as an analytical tool, they also provide information about fundamental physical and chemical properties of molecules, the molecular and electronic structure, and the dynamic behaviour of molecules. Starting from a comprehensive quantum mechanical description, ESR Spectroscopy in Membrane Biophysics introduces the optical (IR, Raman, UV/Vis, CD, fluorescence and laser spectroscopy) and magnetic resonance (1D and 2D-NMR, ESR) techniques. ESR Spectroscopy in Membrane Biophysics is a timely review of the increasing interest in using spin-label ESR as an alternative structural technique for NMR or X-ray diffraction. It is aimed at training an audience to learn ESR spectroscopy to determine membrane protein structures, conformational...
|

|
Protein Blotting and Detection: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology)
by Biji T. Kurien (Editor), R. Hal Scofield (Editor)
Over the past thirty years, the development of the Western blot has revolutionized the fields of biomedical research and medical diagnostics. In "Protein Blotting and Detection: Methods and Protocols", expert researchers present numerous techniques based on the Western blot, providing detailed, readily reproducible methods, tips, and alternatives directly and easily transferable to the laboratory setting. Chapters offer a large number of variations on the theme of protein transfer to solid support followed by detection, presenting both adaptations of traditional techniques as well as completely original methods of protein blotting. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, a list of necessary materials,...
|

|
"Canine Pancreatic Microsomal Membranes - Protein Expression Systems, Promega - Model PAY4041"
by Promega
Canine Pancreatic Microsomal Membranes - Protein Expression Systems, Promega - Model PAY4041 : TNT Transcription/Translation Systems: Use for rapid screening and analysis of mutants, protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions, antibody evolution studies, and in vitro expression cloning. Systems are single-tube coupled for translation and transcri
|

|
Membrane Proteomics: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology)
by Matthew J. Peirce (Editor), Robin Wait (Editor)
With the great cellular and therapeutic importance of plasma membrane proteins, unbiased technologies such as proteomics become even more vital as they have the power to define patterns of membrane protein expression characteristic of distinct states of cellular development, differentiation or disease, and thereby identify novel markers of, or targets for intervention in, disease. In Membrane Proteomics: Methods and Protocols, leading experts in the field compile a laboratory bench resource which provides a comprehensive toolkit of proven methods. The volume delves into various modifications to standard two-dimensional gel electrophoresis protocols as well as liquid chromatographic methods, protocols for the enrichment of diverse classes of plasma membrane proteins, in silico...
|
|