Membrane protein
Membrane Protein
Membrane proteins are a type of protein that interact with, or are part of, biological membranes. They include integral membrane proteins that are permanently anchored or part of the membrane and peripheral membrane proteins that are only temporarily attached to the lipid bilayer or to other integral proteins.
Pronunciation
Membrane Protein: /ˈmɛmbreɪn ˈproʊtiːn/
Etymology
The term "membrane" comes from the Latin membrana, meaning "skin" or "parchment". The term "protein" comes from the Greek proteios, meaning "primary" or "in the lead".
Types of Membrane Proteins
There are two main types of membrane proteins:
- Integral Membrane Proteins: These proteins are permanently attached to the membrane. They can either penetrate the lipid bilayer (transmembrane proteins) or associate with one of its surfaces (lipid-anchored proteins).
- Peripheral Membrane Proteins: These proteins are temporarily attached either to the lipid bilayer or to integral proteins by a combination of hydrophobic, electrostatic, and other non-covalent interactions.
Functions of Membrane Proteins
Membrane proteins perform a variety of functions vital to the survival of organisms:
- Cell Adhesion: Membrane proteins often serve as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that enable cells to adhere to each other and to extracellular matrix.
- Signal Transduction: Membrane proteins can function as receptors for signal transduction pathways.
- Transport: Some membrane proteins assist in the movement of substances across the cell membrane.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Membrane protein
- Wikipedia's article - Membrane protein
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