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Membrane Proteins

Definition: Proteins which are found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. They consist of two types, peripheral and integral proteins. They include most membrane-associated enzymes, antigenic proteins, transport proteins, and drug, hormone, and lectin receptors.
Notes: /biosyn /drug eff /physiol /ultrastruct permitted
Also Called: Integral Membrane Proteins,Cell Membrane Proteins,Cell Surface Proteins
Previously Indexed: Cell Membranes (1966-1976),Membranes (1968-1976),Proteins (1966-1976)

Membrane Proteins Categories.
Connexins - A group of homologous proteins which form the intermembrane channels of GAP JUNCTIONS. The connexins are the products of an identified gene family which has both highly conserved and highly divergent regions. The variety contributes to the wide range of functional properties of gap junctions.
LDL-Receptor Related Protein-Associated Protein - A membrane protein found in the rough endoplasm reticulum (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, ROUGH) that binds to LDL-RECEPTOR RELATED PROTEINS. It may function to prevent ligand binding of receptors during protein processing events within endosomal compartments.
Myelin Proteins - Proteins found in the myelin sheath. The major proteins of central nervous system myelin include: MYELIN PROTEOLIPID PROTEIN; MYELIN BASIC PROTEINS; and MYELIN-ASSOCIATED GLYCOPROTEIN. The major proteins of peripheral nervous system myelin include: MYELIN BASIC PROTEINS (myelin P1 protein and MYELIN P2 PROTEIN); MYELIN P0 PROTEIN; and MYELIN-ASSOCIATED GLYCOPROTEIN.
Neurofibromin 2 - A membrane protein homologous to the ERM (Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin) family of cytoskeleton-associated proteins which regulate physical properties of membranes. Alterations in neurofibromin 2 are the cause of NEUROFIBROMATOSIS 2.
Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B - A pulmonary surfactant associated-protein that plays an essential role in alveolar stability by lowering the surface tension at the air-liquid interface. Inherited deficiency of pulmonary surfactant-associated protein B is one cause of RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME.
Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C - A pulmonary surfactant associated protein that plays a role in alveolar stability by lowering the surface tension at the air-liquid interface. It is a membrane-bound protein that constitutes 1-2% of the pulmonary surfactant mass. Pulmonary surfactant-associated protein C is one of the most hydrophobic peptides yet isolated and contains an alpha-helical domain with a central poly-valine segment that binds to phospholipid bilayers.
Receptors, Cell Surface - Cell surface proteins that bind signalling molecules external to the cell with high affinity and convert this extracellular event into one or more intracellular signals that alter the behavior of the target cell (From Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed, pp693-5). Cell surface receptors, unlike enzymes, do not chemically alter their ligands.
Vesicular Transport Proteins - A broad category of proteins involved in the formation, transport and dissolution of TRANSPORT VESICLES. They play a role in the intracellular transport of molecules contained within membrane vesicles. Vesicular transport proteins are distinguished from MEMBRANE TRANSPORT PROTEINS, which move molecules across membranes, by the mode in which the molecules are transported.

Membrane Proteins Definitions and Terms

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