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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

A Nanobar-Supported Lipid Bilayer System for the Study of Membrane Curvature Sensing Proteins in vitro
Published on: November 30, 2022
Membrane curvature modulation of protein activity determined by NMR
Richard M Epand1, Kenneth D'Souza1, Bob Berno2
1Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.
Abstract:
In addition to specific intermolecular interactions, biological processes at membranes are also modulated by the physical properties of the membrane. One of these properties is membrane curvature. NMR methods are useful for studying how membrane curvature affects the binding and insertion of proteins into membranes as well as how proteins can affect membrane curvature properties. In many cases these interactions result in a marked change in protein activity. We have reviewed examples from a range of systems having varied mechanisms by which membrane curvature is linked to protein activity. Among the examples discussed are antimicrobial peptides, proteins affecting membrane fusion, rhodopsin, protein kinase C, phospholipase C-delta1, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase-related kinases and tafazzin.
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