Biomembrane structure and function: recent studies and new techniques

Abstract

SUMMARYThe consensus view of biomembrane structure is outlined. The present model is built upon a fluid lipid matrix, usually two molecules in length, into which the proteins are embedded. The lipid bilayer organization is discussed, such as their phase transition and fluid character and the effect of cholesterol upon the chain organization. The non-lamellar arrangement which some lipids adopt is described. The use of new physical techniques for obtaining information about the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins are described. These techniques include electron diffraction, electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Models of the structures of the Ca2+–ATPase and the glucose transporter from erythrocytes are shown, indicating the putative helices embedded in the lipid bilayer and the groups of amino acids in the aqueous environment. These models are based upon biochemical methods to obtain amino acid sequences using DNA cloning techniques. Finally, an experimental method using triplet probes is described for the study of the rotational dynamics of membrane proteins. Labelled monoclonal antibodies for studying the dynamics of the glucose transporter have been used.