Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Protein Complex Assembly

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...

Protein Complex Assembly

Protein Complex Assembly

Introduction to Membrane Proteins

Introduction to Membrane Proteins

The cell membrane, or plasma membrane, is an ever-changing landscape. It is described as a fluid mosaic where various macromolecules are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. Among the macromolecules are proteins. The protein content varies across cell types. For example, mitochondrial inner membranes contain ~76% protein content, while myelin contains ~18% protein content. Individual cells contain many types of membrane proteins—red blood cells contain over 50—and different cell...

Structural Protein Function

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...

Membrane Proteins

Membrane Proteins

Plasma membranes have integral transmembrane proteins involved in facilitated transport. These proteins are collectively referred to as transport proteins, and they function as either channels for the material or as carriers themselves. Channel proteins have hydrophilic domains exposed to the intracellular and extracellular fluids and a hydrophilic channel through their core that provides a hydrated opening for solutes to pass through the membrane layers. Passage through the channel allows...

Mechanical Protein Functions

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Clathrin is an Intrinsic Driver of Membrane Fission.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Mechanisms of enhanced or impaired DNA target selectivity driven by protein dimerization.

PNAS nexus·2026

Same author

Building Real-World Evidence Infrastructure to Improve Health and Healthcare in the United States: Part III-Questions for Translational Science and Action Theory.

International journal of translational medical research and public health·2026

Same author

Transforming macromolecular structures into simulations of self-assembly with ioNERDSS.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Building Real-World Evidence Infrastructure to Improve Health and Healthcare in the United States: Part II-How Coordinated Registry Networks Operate Like Systemic Coordinated Inter-Organizational Networks.

International journal of translational medical research and public health·2026

Same author

Building Real-World Evidence Infrastructure to Improve Health and Healthcare in the United States: Part I-Coordinated Registry Networks and Systemic Coordinated Inter-Organizational Networks.

International journal of translational medical research and public health·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Multi-color Localization Microscopy of Single Membrane Proteins in Organelles of Live Mammalian Cells

Multi-color Localization Microscopy of Single Membrane Proteins in Organelles of Live Mammalian Cells

Published on: June 30, 2018

Cytosolic proteins can exploit membrane localization to trigger functional assembly.

Osman N Yogurtcu¹, Margaret E Johnson¹

¹Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.

Plos Computational Biology

|March 6, 2018

Summary

Membrane localization dramatically increases protein complex assembly by reducing search space. This dimensionality reduction significantly enhances protein-protein interactions, crucial for processes like endocytosis.

More Related Videos

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases

Published on: November 21, 2010

Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli

Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli

Published on: January 6, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Multi-color Localization Microscopy of Single Membrane Proteins in Organelles of Live Mammalian Cells

Multi-color Localization Microscopy of Single Membrane Proteins in Organelles of Live Mammalian Cells

Published on: June 30, 2018

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases

Published on: November 21, 2010

Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli

Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli

Published on: January 6, 2015

Area of Science:

Cellular Biology
Biophysics
Biochemistry

Background:

Protein complex assembly on cellular membranes is essential for vital processes like endocytosis and viral budding.
Membrane localization concentrates proteins, enhancing their effective concentrations and interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a quantitative theory for the role of membrane localization in protein complex assembly.
To define a metric for comparing protein interactions with and without membrane influence.

Main Methods:

Derived an analytical theory to quantify the effect of dimensionality reduction on protein assembly.
Collected data on protein-protein/lipid affinities, concentrations, and cell geometry for 37 membrane-targeting proteins.
Analyzed 46 protein interactions, focusing on clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Main Results:

Membrane localization can increase effective protein-protein affinity by 10-1000 fold for proteins involved in endocytosis.
This enhanced affinity drives robust protein complexation, influencing the timing of protein coat formation.
Phosphoinositide lipid concentration and cell geometry are key factors in regulating membrane assembly.

Conclusions:

Membrane localization is a critical factor in driving protein assembly and complexation.
The developed theory provides a framework for understanding and designing in vitro experiments on membrane-associated protein interactions.