Emerging roles for lipids in shaping membrane-protein function.
Studies of membrane proteins have revealed a direct link between the lipid environment and the structure and function of some of these proteins. Although some of these effects involve specific chemical interactions between lipids and protein residues, many can be understood in terms of protein-induced perturbations to the membrane shape. The free-energy cost of such perturbations can be estimated quantitatively, and measurements of channel gating in model systems of membrane proteins with their lipid partners are now confirming predictions of simple models.
Phillips
Rob
R
Department of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA. phillips@pboc.caltech.edu
Ursell
Tristan
T
Wiggins
Paul
P
Sens
Pierre
P
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004548:Elasticity; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013816:Thermodynamics
D007473:Ion Channels; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins