Abstract
Three linked functions connect the two major components of biological membranes, lipids and proteins. They are: lipid–lipid interactions, lipid–protein interactions, and protein–protein interactions. These interactions are not independent. An alteration in one will affect the others. The membrane protein can therefore influence lipid bilayer properties. The lipid bilayer can influence membrane proteins. For example, the lipid bilayer can influence the membrane protein through bilayer thickness. The hydrophobic mismatch between the two will lead to distortion of protein structure. Specific binding sites on membrane proteins for reversible binding of specific lipids to the protein exist. Binding of specific lipids to those sites alters protein function. X-ray crystal structures of membrane proteins provide the evidence for such specific lipid binding sites. Boundary lipid, another type of lipid–protein interaction, constitutes a single layer of lipid bilayer around the entire transmembrane domain of the membrane protein. Reconstitution of membrane proteins into defined lipid bilayers must take into account adequately purifying the protein in an active form and removing all the detergent used in the former from the reconstituted membrane. The product must be characterized for lipid/protein ratio and lipid and protein content.
Published Version
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