What is transmembrane protein?

transmembrane protein is a protein that spans the entire length of the cell membrane. It is built between phospholipids and provides a channel through which molecules and ions can pass into the cell. Transmembran proteins also facilitate communication between cells of interaction with chemical messengers. Many biological processes, such as glucose metabolism and fatty acid production, start after a specific transmembrane protein is activated.

The insulin receptor is an example of a transmembrane protein that interacts with a chemical messenger, namely insulin. The receptor acts as a target on the surface of the cell for the insulin molecule. After anchoring the molecule with the receptor, the receptor usually releases chemicals that cause the glucose transporter to move to the cell surface. This allows the cell to absorb a large amount of glucose from the external environment, leading to glucose metabolism and eventually producing productions.

Another task of transmembrane protein is a shuttle such as sodium and potassium, through the cell membrane to maintain a chemical environment. Some cells cannot perform specific tasks if ion channels do not work properly. An important example is the voltage -controlled ion channels of nerve cells. In a resting state, the ion channel is usually closed, which prevents the ions from crossing the membrane. Once the stimulus, such as cut or burns is detected, the nerve pulse is sent from one end of the nerve cell to the other end. This can only happen if the ion channels open and allow the ions to flow through the cell membrane.

In order to organize correctly, cells also require transmembrane proteins to explore the environment in which the cell is located. For example, muscle cells are generally organized around other muscle cells, while skin cells organize other skin cells. Integrins are a wide category of transmembrane proteins that perform this organizationalfunction. Integrins also anchor cells to substrates, facilitate cell migration and wound healing. The growth, division and death of cells are generally dependent on the signals they receive integrals.

transmembrane protein can be classified as alpha hellic or beta barrel depending on how organized the protein chain is organized. Alpha Helical proteins consist of a single chain, while beta barrel proteins have several protein chains organized side by side. The alpha hellic protein is generally curled and beta barrel protein is twisted into a closed structure that resembles a barrel.