membrane protein
Lipid bilayer inhabitant
A membrane protein is a protein embedded in or attached to a cell membrane.
These proteins perform essential functions: they transport molecules across the membrane, receive signals from outside the cell, and anchor structures.
Ion channels are membrane proteins that allow charged particles to pass through.
Membrane proteins make up a significant portion of all proteins in living organisms.
Fluid-moving machine
- aquaporinMembrane protein for water
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
- gradientRate of change across space
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
Repels aqueous substances
- hydrophilicTending to absorb water
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
- peripheralExternal computer add-on
- topologyStudy of spatial arrangement
conformation · folding · polypeptide · amino acid · crystallography · chaperone · glycoprotein · domain
Signal-receiving molecule
- ligandMolecule that binds centrally
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- kinasePhosphate-transferring enzyme
phosphorylation · neurotransmitter · hormone · affinity · chemoreceptor · photoreceptor · mechanoreceptor · activation
Cytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
- Golgi apparatusProtein processing organelle
- nuclear envelopeBarrier enclosing chromosomes
- signal peptideProtein sorting tag
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
endocytosis · exocytosis · secretory pathway · sorting · trafficking · insertion · translocation
Removal of contaminants
- detergentChemical cleaning agent
- solubilizationMaking something dissolvable
- reconstitutionRestoring original form
- liposomeBilayer sphere for delivery
mass spectrometry · mutagenesis · knockout · overexpression · bioinformatics · therapeutic
pump
Fluid-moving machine
- aquaporinMembrane protein for water
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
- gradientRate of change across space
permeability · translocation · voltage-gated · flux · conductance
hydrophobic
Repels aqueous substances
- hydrophilicTending to absorb water
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
- peripheralExternal computer add-on
topology · conformation · folding · polypeptide · amino acid · crystallography · chaperone · glycoprotein · domain · motif
receptor
Signal-receiving molecule
- ligandMolecule that binds centrally
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
kinase · phosphorylation · neurotransmitter · hormone · affinity · chemoreceptor · photoreceptor · mechanoreceptor · activation · inhibition
endoplasmic reticulum
Cytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
- Golgi apparatusProtein processing organelle
- nuclear envelopeBarrier enclosing chromosomes
- signal peptideProtein sorting tag
vesicle · endocytosis · exocytosis · secretory pathway · sorting · trafficking · insertion · translocation
purification
Removal of contaminants
- detergentChemical cleaning agent
- solubilizationMaking something dissolvable
- reconstitutionRestoring original form
liposome · mass spectrometry · mutagenesis · knockout · overexpression · bioinformatics · therapeutic
- proteinsalbumin, collagen, casein, keratin, hemoglobin
- cell membranephospholipid, cholesterol, receptor, aquaporin, leaflet
- bacterial proteinstoxin
- Drug Targetsreceptor, enzyme, kinase, transporter, protease
- Viral Componentscapsid, envelope, viral envelope, virion, tegument
- Neurotransmissionsynapse, neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin