Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
09:49
Sedimentation Equilibrium of a Small Oligomer-forming Membrane Protein: Effect of Histidine Protonation on Pentameric Stability
Published on: April 2, 2015
10.7K
BRANEart: Identify Stability Strength and Weakness Regions in Membrane Proteins
Sankar Basu1,2, Simon S Assaf1, Fabian Teheux1
1Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Frontiers in Bioinformatics
|October 28, 2022
Summary
We developed BRANEart, a new method to assess membrane protein stability. This tool analyzes residue contributions to stability, aiding in understanding protein function and modification.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Protein stability is crucial for understanding protein dynamics and function.
- Accurate assessment of protein stability is essential for drug design and protein engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce BRANEart, a novel computational method for evaluating per-residue contributions to membrane protein stability.
- To provide a tool for analyzing the stability of membrane proteins and guiding modifications.
Main Methods:
- BRANEart utilizes extended statistical potentials derived from membrane protein structures.
- A per-residue membrane propensity index is calculated from these potentials.
- The method was validated on large datasets of membrane and globular proteins.
Main Results:
- BRANEart accurately predicts residue contributions to membrane protein stability.
- The method demonstrates excellent agreement with experimental data.
- Identifies residues critical for transmembrane region stability or extramembrane stability.
Conclusions:
- BRANEart is a fast, accurate, and useful tool for detailed stability analysis of membrane proteins.
- It aids in understanding protein positioning within the lipid bilayer.
- Facilitates rational modification of biophysical characteristics and protein function.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Membrane Domains
5.6K
The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
5.6K
01:09Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels
5.5K
In multi-pass transmembrane proteins, the polypeptide chain crosses the membrane more than once. The transmembrane polypeptide chain either forms an α-helix or β-strand structure. α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins are ubiquitous, whereas β-strand containing ones are mainly found in gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as...
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as...
5.5K
00:59Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
3.1K
Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...
3.1K
01:15Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
2.8K
The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
2.8K
01:25Single-pass Transmembrane Proteins
5.2K
Integral membrane proteins are tightly associated with the cell membrane and play a crucial role in cell communication, signaling, adhesion, and transport of the molecules. Some integral membrane proteins are present only in the membrane monolayer. For example, the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase is present in the cytoplasmic side of the membrane monolayer. In contrast, another type of integral membrane protein, also known as a transmembrane protein, spans across the membrane. Transmembrane...
5.2K
01:26Membrane Fluidity
11.7K
Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
11.7K