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Protein folds in channel structure
1Department of Biology, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0366, USA. montal@jeeves.ucsd.edu
Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Recent breakthroughs enhance understanding of membrane protein structure and function. This opens new avenues for detailed molecular analysis, potentially revealing fundamental principles of protein sequence-structure relationships.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Understanding the structural basis of channel-protein function has advanced significantly.
- Membrane protein analysis is approaching the molecular detail previously exclusive to soluble proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential for analyzing membrane proteins with high molecular detail.
- To investigate the concept of minimum structural units with specific functional attributes.
Main Methods:
- Convergence of conceptual and technical breakthroughs in protein analysis.
- Application of advanced molecular analysis techniques to membrane proteins.
Main Results:
- A new phase in membrane protein structural analysis is emerging.
- High-resolution molecular detail is becoming achievable for membrane proteins.
Conclusions:
- Establishing minimum structural units with functional attributes may elucidate sequence-structure determinism.
- This research paves the way for understanding fundamental principles governing protein structure and function.