Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology
06:24

Generic Protocol for Optimization of Heterologous Protein Production Using Automated Microbioreactor Technology

Published on: December 15, 2017

10.7K

The MinDE system is a generic spatial cue for membrane protein distribution in vitro

Beatrice Ramm1, Philipp Glock1, Jonas Mücksch1

  • 1Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152, Martinsried, Germany.

Nature Communications
|September 28, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The E. coli MinCDE system

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The E. coli MinCDE system is a key reaction-diffusion system.
  • MinDE oscillations position the cell division protein FtsZ at midcell.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate roles of MinDE oscillations beyond FtsZ localization.
  • To explore MinDE's self-organization capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro reconstitution assay.
  • Observation of MinDE self-organization and its effect on other membrane proteins.

Main Results:

  • MinDE self-organization spatially regulates unrelated membrane proteins into patterns and gradients.
  • Concentration waves induce net transport of membrane-attached molecules.
  • MinDE controls a broader set of proteins than previously known.

Conclusions:

  • MinDE oscillations have functions beyond FtsZ localization, potentially impacting division site selection and chromosome segregation.
  • The MinDE system demonstrates a MinC-independent pathway for cellular regulation.
  • Active transport via a traveling diffusion barrier may be a general cellular mechanism.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of the Spatial Distribution of γH2AX following Ionizing Radiation09:28

Evaluation of the Spatial Distribution of γH2AX following Ionizing Radiation

Published on: August 7, 2010

13.2K
Green Fluorescent Protein-based Expression Screening of Membrane Proteins in Escherichia coli08:46

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

Published on: January 6, 2015

33.6K

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Membrane Proteins01:16

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...
81.2K
Membrane Proteins01:30

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...
30.5K
Non-Verbal Cues01:29

Non-Verbal Cues

Non-verbal communication extends beyond gestures and facial expressions to include vocal elements known as paralanguage. Paralanguage consists of non-verbal vocal cues such as pitch, loudness, speech rate, pauses, and non-verbal vocalizations like laughter, sighs, and moans. These elements not only accompany speech but also provide critical emotional and contextual information.The Role of Paralanguage in CommunicationParalanguage adds depth to spoken language by conveying emotions and...
336
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane01:24

Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

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...
5.6K
Drug Distribution: Plasma Protein Binding01:29

Drug Distribution: Plasma Protein Binding

Drugs predominantly attach to plasma proteins, with only a small percentage remaining unbound. The unbound portion can be calculated as one minus the bound fraction. Acidic drugs form large, inactive complexes by reversibly binding to plasma albumin, which prevents them from diffusing across biological barriers. These drug-protein complexes act as reservoirs for the drugs. As the concentration of unbound drugs decreases, these complexes quickly dissociate to release the free drug, maintaining...
8.9K
Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane01:45

Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane

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...
3.8K