What is the role of hydrophobic interactions in the structure of cell membranes?

Abstract

The interactions of peripheral proteins with membrane surfaces are critical to many biological processes, including signaling, recognition, membrane trafficking, cell division and cell structure. On a molecular level, peripheral membrane proteins can modulate lipid composition, membrane dynamics and protein-protein interactions. Biochemical and biophysical studies have shown that these interactions are in fact highly complex, dominated by several different types of interactions, and have an interdependent effect on both the protein and membrane. Here we examine three major mechanisms underlying the interactions between peripheral membrane proteins and membranes: electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and fatty acid modification of proteins. While experimental approaches continue to provide critical insights into specific interaction mechanisms, emerging bioinformatics resources and tools contribute to a systems-level picture of protein-lipid interactions. Through these recent advances, we begin to understand the pivotal role of protein-lipid interactions underlying complex biological functions at membrane interfaces.

Authors: Whited, A. M. [1]


  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Publication Date: Wed Jul 29 00:00:00 EDT 2015Research Org.: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)Sponsoring Org.: USDOE OSTI Identifier: 1286884Alternate Identifier(s):OSTI ID: 1247815Grant/Contract Number:  AC05-00OR22725Resource Type: Accepted ManuscriptJournal Name: Chemistry and Physics of LipidsAdditional Journal Information: Journal Volume: 192; Journal ID: ISSN 0009-3084Publisher: ElsevierCountry of Publication: United StatesLanguage: EnglishSubject: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; protein-lipid interaction; biomembrane; phospholipid; peripheral membrane protein; membrane protein


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Johs, Alexander, and Whited, A. M. The interactions of peripheral membrane proteins with biological membranes. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2015.07.015.

Johs, Alexander, & Whited, A. M. The interactions of peripheral membrane proteins with biological membranes. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2015.07.015

Johs, Alexander, and Whited, A. M. Wed . "The interactions of peripheral membrane proteins with biological membranes". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2015.07.015. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1286884.

@article{osti_1286884,
title = {The interactions of peripheral membrane proteins with biological membranes},
author = {Johs, Alexander and Whited, A. M.},
abstractNote = {The interactions of peripheral proteins with membrane surfaces are critical to many biological processes, including signaling, recognition, membrane trafficking, cell division and cell structure. On a molecular level, peripheral membrane proteins can modulate lipid composition, membrane dynamics and protein-protein interactions. Biochemical and biophysical studies have shown that these interactions are in fact highly complex, dominated by several different types of interactions, and have an interdependent effect on both the protein and membrane. Here we examine three major mechanisms underlying the interactions between peripheral membrane proteins and membranes: electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and fatty acid modification of proteins. While experimental approaches continue to provide critical insights into specific interaction mechanisms, emerging bioinformatics resources and tools contribute to a systems-level picture of protein-lipid interactions. Through these recent advances, we begin to understand the pivotal role of protein-lipid interactions underlying complex biological functions at membrane interfaces.},
doi = {10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2015.07.015},
journal = {Chemistry and Physics of Lipids},
number = ,
volume = 192,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jul 29 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Wed Jul 29 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}


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What is the importance of hydrophobic interaction?

Hydrophobic Interactions are important for the folding of proteins. This is important in keeping a protein stable and biologically active, because it allow to the protein to decrease in surface are and reduce the undesirable interactions with water.

How does hydrophobic relate to the structure of a cell membrane?

The heads, which form the outer and inner linings, are "hydrophilic" (water loving) while the tails that face the interior of the cell membrane are "hydrophobic" (water fearing). Water is attracted to the outsides (red) of the membrane but is prevented from going through the non-polar interior (yellow) layer.

What is the importance of hydrophobic interaction in molecular organization?

Hydrophobic forces play a crucial role in both the stability of B DNA and its interactions with proteins. In the present study, we postulate that the hydrophobic effect is an essential component in establishing specificity in the interaction transcription factor proteins with their consensus DNA sequence partners.

How does the hydrophobic interaction work?

The hydrophobic effect describes the energetic preference of nonpolar molecular surfaces to interact with other nonpolar molecular surfaces and thereby to displace water molecules from the interacting surfaces. The hydrophobic effect is due to both enthalpic and entropic effects.