title: An introduction to membrane proteins.
abstract: α-Helical membrane proteins are important for many biological functions. Due to physicochemical constraints, the structures of membrane proteins differ from the structure of soluble proteins. Historically, membrane protein structures were assumed to be more or less two-dimensional, consisting of long, straight, membrane-spanning parallel helices packed against each other. However, during the past decade, a number of the new membrane protein structures cast doubt on this notion. Today, it is evident that the structures of many membrane proteins are equally complex as for many soluble proteins. Here, we review this development and discuss the consequences for our understanding of membrane protein biogenesis, folding, evolution, and bioinformatics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemitry and Biophysics, Stockholm Bioinformatics Center, Center for Biomembrane Research, Science for life laboratory, Swedish E-science Research Center, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Linnea E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hedin
authors.forename: Kristoffer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Illergård
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elofsson
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins