Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Determining Membrane Protein Topology Using Fluorescence Protease Protection (FPP)
Published on: April 20, 2015
Topological mapping of complement component C9 by recombinant DNA techniques suggests a novel mechanism for its
1European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, FRG.
Abstract:
cDNA molecules coding for mouse and trout C9 have been isolated and the derived amino acid sequences compared with that of human C9. Regions of high homology between the closely related species (mouse and human) correlate with putative domains in the protein structure supporting a model of C9 having five globular domains. Comparison between the more distant species (trout and human) suggests regions of particular importance to C9 structure and function. In addition the three related sequences allow the secondary structure to be predicted with more confidence and we have tested the prediction by mapping surface features of the protein. Reported here is a recombinant DNA approach to fine mapping of antibody epitopes. Two of the putative domains of C9 are connected by a stretch of about 40 amino acid residues in which features characteristic of individual conformational forms of C9 are concentrated. We suggest that this region might act as a hinge allowing the rearrangement of globular domains necessary for membrane insertion. In the membrane inserting domain one highly conserved sequence has the potential to form an amphipathic alpha-helix once it is buried in the lipid bilayer. These features suggest a novel mechanism for the irreversible, post-translational insertion of C9 into target membranes.
More Related Videos
07:26High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
Published on: July 18, 2017
07:09Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Mapping: A New Methodology to Elucidate Global Structural Features
Published on: March 16, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Complementary DNA
Overview of Transposition and Recombination
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Transport of mitochondrial precursors across the TIM23 channel is driven by...
Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane
Transport Across the Golgi