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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Membrane Proteins01:16

Introduction to Membrane Proteins

81.7K
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...
81.7K
Membrane Proteins01:30

Membrane Proteins

30.6K
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...
30.6K
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane01:24

Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

5.7K
Proteins show rotational as well as lateral diffusion across the membrane. The lateral diffusion of proteins was confirmed through the cell fusion experiment where mouse and human cells were fused, resulting in hybrid cells. When the human and mouse cells fused, the specific membrane proteins on human and mouse cells were marked with the red and green-fluorescent markers, respectively. Initially, the red and green fluorescence was located on the respective hemisphere of the cell. As time...
5.7K
Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins01:18

Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins

6.5K
Detergents are used to purify the integral proteins of the membrane. The hydrophobic portion of the detergent can replace membrane phospholipids while solubilizing the membrane proteins. When detergent monomers reach a specific concentration in a solution called critical micelle concentration (CMC), they form micelles. Above CMC, the concentration of the detergent monomers remains in equilibrium with the micelle. The number of detergent monomers present in the CMC varies for each detergent, and...
6.5K
GPI Anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane01:29

GPI Anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane

5.6K
GPI-anchoring is a post-translational, reversible protein modification that is ubiquitous in eukaryotes. Such proteins are primarily present on the exoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane.
GPI-anchor structure
A sequence of 11 enzymatic reactions results in the synthesis of the complete GPI anchor consisting of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic portion. The hydrophobic portion comprises phosphatidylinositol, while the hydrophilic part comprises polar groups like phosphoethanolamine,...
5.6K
Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane01:45

Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane

3.9K
Tail-anchored, or TA, proteins are estimated to make up to 3-5% of membrane proteins found in the eukaryotic cell. Such proteins have a single transmembrane domain located approximately 30 amino acid residues upstream from the C-terminal end. As a result, the signal recognition particle (SRP) cannot guide a TA protein to the ER membrane for cotranslational insertion. Hence, they are integrated into the ER membrane post-translationally using their C-terminal end as the anchor. TA proteins...
3.9K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli
08:46

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

Published on: January 6, 2015

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Microbial expression systems for membrane proteins.

Marvin V Dilworth1, Mathilde S Piel2, Kim E Bettaney3

  • 1School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.

Methods (San Diego, Calif.)
|April 16, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Producing recombinant membrane proteins for structural studies is challenging. This review details practical microbial expression methods, host strains, and detergents to improve yields of these crucial proteins.

Keywords:
DetergentExpression plasmid vectorPromoterRecombinant membrane proteinsTag

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Recombinant membrane protein production is critical for structural biology but remains technically challenging.
  • Fewer membrane protein structures are published compared to soluble proteins due to production difficulties.
  • Empirical methods are advancing the quantity and quality of membrane protein production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review microbial expression systems for producing recombinant prokaryotic and eukaryotic membrane proteins.
  • To provide an overview of effective host strains, tags, and promoters for structural studies.
  • To catalogue detergents essential for membrane protein solubilization and crystallization.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on microbial expression systems (prokaryotic and eukaryotic).
  • Overview of host strains, expression tags, and promoters.
  • Cataloguing of detergents for solubilization and crystallization.

Main Results:

  • Identification of key components (host strains, tags, promoters) for successful recombinant membrane protein production.
  • Compilation of detergents commonly used for membrane protein structural studies.
  • Emphasis on practical, non-high-throughput methods adaptable to standard laboratories.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial expression systems are a vital source for membrane protein structural and functional characterization.
  • A combination of optimized host strains, expression strategies, and detergents facilitates production.
  • Practical, accessible methods can overcome challenges in recombinant membrane protein production for structural studies.