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Related Concept Videos

Protein-protein Interfaces02:04

Protein-protein Interfaces

Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a polypeptide...
Protein-Protein Interfaces02:04

Protein-Protein Interfaces

Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a polypeptide...
Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force. 
Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

Eukaryotic cells have different motor proteins for transporting various cargo within the cell. These motor proteins differ based on the filament they associate with, the direction they move within the cell, and the type of cargo they transport. Motor proteins that associate with microtubules are known as microtubule-associated motor proteins. There are two families of microtubule-associated motor proteins —Kinesins and Dyneins. Both these proteins assist in the transport of cellular cargos...
The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles01:43

The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
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...

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Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
08:40

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging

Published on: March 13, 2019

Molecular machines working on surfaces and at interfaces.

Vincenzo Balzani1, Alberto Credi, Margherita Venturi

  • 1Dipartimento di Chimica G. Ciamician, Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy. vincenzo.balzani@unibo.it

Chemphyschem : a European Journal of Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry
|December 19, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Artificial molecular machines are advancing, but require ordering for technological applications. This review covers surface-based molecular machines and their potential for controlled movement.

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Area of Science:

  • Supramolecular Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Significant advancements in artificial molecular machines over the past decade.
  • Current research predominantly in solution, limiting individual molecule control and macroscopic interfacing.
  • Need for ordered molecular systems for coherent behavior and spatial addressability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent achievements in molecular machines operating on surfaces and at interfaces.
  • To explore techniques for creating ordered arrays of molecular machines.
  • To discuss hybrid natural-artificial machines and compare natural machine mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Deposition on surfaces
  • Incorporation into polymers
  • Organization at interfaces
  • Immobilization in membranes or porous materials
  • Scanning-probe microscopy for single-molecule observation and manipulation

Main Results:

  • Development of techniques for ordering molecular machines into functional arrays.
  • Enabling direct observation and manipulation of single molecular machines on surfaces.
  • Facilitating a deeper understanding of molecular-level movement compared to macroscopic movement.
  • Review of hybrid systems integrating natural and artificial components.

Conclusions:

  • Ordering molecular machines on surfaces and interfaces is crucial for technological applications.
  • Scanning-probe techniques offer powerful tools for studying and controlling individual molecular machines.
  • Understanding molecular machines at surfaces and interfaces opens new avenues for nanotechnology.
  • Hybrid machines and comparison with natural systems provide insights into molecular functionality.