Membrane protein: is a protein molecule that is attached to, or associated with, the membrane of a cell
Membrane proteins have a diverse range of structures, functions and locations
There are two main types of proteins in the cell membrane:
Integral membrane proteins - embedded in the phospholipid bilayer (they go completely through the membrane layers)
Peripheral membrane proteins - indirectly or loosely attached to the surface of the cell membrane, but may dip slightly into the lipid bilayer
Examples of use | Description and examples |
Cell adhesion | Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) involved in binding of cells with extracellular matrix |
Enzymatic | Integral protein |
Pumps for active transport | AKA transporters - actively move ions and /or solutes across membranes |
Cell-to-cell communication | Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) - signalling |
Channel or carrier proteins | Integral - form a pathway through which ions and molecules can move across a membrane |
Hormone binding | G - protein - hormone binds to its membrane receptors |