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Related Concept Videos

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels01:09

Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels

In multi-pass transmembrane proteins, the polypeptide chain crosses the membrane more than once. The transmembrane polypeptide chain either forms an α-helix or β-strand structure. α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins are ubiquitous, whereas β-strand containing ones are mainly found in gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as G-protein-linked receptors (GPCRs) and...
Insertion of Single-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER01:26

Insertion of Single-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER

Integral membrane proteins are proteins adhered to the lipid bilayer of a cell organelle or membrane. They can be of two types: transmembrane integral proteins that span the lipid bilayer and monotopic proteins that are attached to either side of the membrane but do not pass through it.
Integral transmembrane proteins possess transmembrane and extra membrane domains. The transmembrane domains are primarily made of 20-25 hydrophobic amino acids arranged in a helical secondary confirmation. These...
Protein Translocation Machinery on the ER Membrane01:28

Protein Translocation Machinery on the ER Membrane

The translocon complex situated on the ER membrane is the main gateway for the protein secretory pathway. It facilitates the transport of nascent peptides into the ER lumen and their insertion into the ER membrane.
Sec61 protein conducting channel
In eukaryotes, the translocon complex comprises a core heterotrimeric translocator channel called the Sec61 complex. This channel includes three transmembrane proteins, Sec61α, Sec61β, and Sec61γ, and is the largest subunit of the translocon complex.
Insertion of Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER01:29

Insertion of Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER

The rough ER membrane synthesizes, assembles, and embeds transmembrane proteins in diverse topologies. These proteins function as transporters or channels and can remain in the ER membrane or are sent to the Golgi complex, lysosome, and cell membrane.
The multipass transmembrane proteins are the type IV integral membrane proteins with multiple topogenic sequences determining their spatial arrangement in the ER membrane. Nearly all multipass proteins lack a cleavable signal sequence and use...
Assembly of Signaling Complexes01:30

Assembly of Signaling Complexes

Multiprotein signaling complexes are formed in a dynamic process involving protein-protein interactions at the cytoplasmic domain of transmembrane receptors or enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins associated with the receptor. These complexes ensure the activation and propagation of intracellular signals that regulate cell functions.
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...

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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay
06:45

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay

Published on: May 26, 2011

Surface recognition elements of membrane protein oligomerization.

Arianna Rath1, Charles M Deber

  • 1Division of Molecular Structure and Function, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8.

Proteins
|August 31, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Membrane proteins assemble into functional units through specific sequence motifs. Small-xxx-small motifs on lipid-exposed surfaces are key to distinguishing subunits from fully assembled oligomeric membrane proteins.

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Oligomerization Dynamics of Cell Surface Receptors in Living Cells by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Combined with Number and Brightness Analysis
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Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
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Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

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Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay
06:45

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay

Published on: May 26, 2011

Oligomerization Dynamics of Cell Surface Receptors in Living Cells by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Combined with Number and Brightness Analysis
10:43

Oligomerization Dynamics of Cell Surface Receptors in Living Cells by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Combined with Number and Brightness Analysis

Published on: November 6, 2019

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
10:49

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 5, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Membrane Protein Research

Background:

  • Membrane proteins function either as monomers or oligomers.
  • Understanding the structural basis of membrane protein assembly is crucial for their biological roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify sequence features that govern the assembly of membrane protein monomers into functional oligomers.
  • To compare lipid-exposed surfaces of individual subunits with those of assembled oligomeric structures.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 28 high-resolution alpha-helical membrane protein structures.
  • Comparison of amino acid composition and motif distribution on lipid-exposed surfaces.

Main Results:

  • Overall amino acid composition of lipid-exposed surfaces is similar between subunits and oligomers.
  • The distribution of small-xxx-small motifs significantly differs, distinguishing subunits from assembled oligomers.

Conclusions:

  • Small-xxx-small motifs play a critical role in dictating membrane protein quaternary structure formation.
  • These motifs may be essential for inter-subunit interactions rather than intrachain contacts.