Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
Structural foundations for explaining the physiological roles of murzymes embedded in diverse phospholipid membranes
Kelath Murali Manoj1, Daniel Andrew Gideon1
1Satyamjayatu: The Science & Ethics Foundation, Snehatheeram, Shoranur-2 (PO), Kerala 679122, India.
Abstract:
The advent of improved structural biology protocols and bioinformatics methodologies have provided paradigm-shifting insights on metabolic or physiological processes catalyzed by homo-/hetero- proteins (super)complexes embedded in phospholipid membranes of cells/organelles. In this panoramic review, we succinctly elucidate the structural features of select redox proteins from four systems: hepatocyte/adrenal cortex endoplasmic reticulum (microsomes), inner mitochondrial membrane (cristae), thylakoid membrane (grana), and in the flattened disks of rod/cone cells (in retina). Besides catalyzing fast/crucial (photo)chemical reactions, these proteins utilize the redox-active diatomic gaseous molecule of oxygen, the elixir of aerobic life. Quite contrary to extant perceptions that invoke primarily deterministic affinity-binding or conformation-change based "proton-pump"/"serial electron-relay" type roles, we advocate murzyme functions for the membrane-embedded proteins in these systems. Murzymes are proteins that generate/stabilize/utilize diffusible reactive (oxygen) species (DRS/DROS) based activities. Herein, we present a brief compendium of the recently revealed wealth of structural information and mechanistic concepts on how the membrane proteins use DRS/DROS to aid 'effective charge separation' and facilitate trans-membrane dynamics of diverse species in milieu, thereby enabling the cells to function as 'simple chemical engines'.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Lipids
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
What are Lipids?
Fluid Mosaic Model

