Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
Published on: March 5, 2017
On graphical representation of trans-membrane proteins.
M Randić1, M Novič, A Roy Choudhury
1National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia. mrandic@msn.com
This study introduces a new graphical method to represent proteins using amino acid adjacency matrices. This approach generates protein binary codes for use as descriptors, particularly for trans-membrane proteins.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Proteins are fundamental molecules with complex structures.
- Understanding protein structure is crucial for biological function.
- Current protein representation methods have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel graphical representation for proteins.
- To create protein binary codes as descriptors.
- To apply this method to trans-membrane proteins.
Main Methods:
- Constructing a protein map from an amino acid adjacency matrix.
- Interpreting matrix elements as sequentially labeled graph vertices.
- Connecting nearest vertices to neighbors with smaller labels.
- Developing protein binary codes from the graphical representation.
Main Results:
- A novel graphical protein representation was successfully developed.
- Protein binary codes were constructed as potential descriptors.
- The method was illustrated using segments of trans-membrane proteins.
Conclusions:
- The novel graphical representation offers a new way to visualize protein structure.
- Protein binary codes can serve as effective descriptors.
- This method shows promise for analyzing proteins, including trans-membrane proteins.
Related Concept Videos
Single-pass Transmembrane Proteins
Insertion of Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER
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...
Insertion of Single-pass Transmembrane Proteins in the RER
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...
Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as G-protein-linked receptors (GPCRs) and...
Protein Translocation Machinery on 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.
Cotranslational Protein Translocation
Sec61 channel partners for cotranslational translocation
During cotranslational translocation, the Sec61 channel partners with the signal recognition particle (SRP), the signal recognition particle receptor (SR), and the ribosomes to transport the nascent polypeptide chain...

