What is Intramembranous Proteins

[lindyloo03]

As the subject states what is Intramembranous Protiens, what does it do?

I am assuming it is a protien within the cell membrane that maybe joins cells together????

I have looked through my text book, searched this site, googled, ask.com, but I just cant find what it is and I have 3 different types of questions about it. How can I answer them when I dont even know what it is, where it is or what it looks like.

HELP!!!!

Thanks in advance!!!

Linda

[lindyloo03]

Please someone must know something about this

[lindyloo03]

Q: Explain the significance of intramembranous proteins in biological membranes:

This is what I wrote. Does it sound right?

Intramembrane proteins represent a class of proteins located in the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane which function as ion channels, enzymes or receptors.

Intramembranous proteins are significant in how the membranes communicate with each other. They can pass on signals from outside the cell, pass solutes through the cell,they can join with other membranes as well as other functions. These functions make it a significant function to the overall workings of the membranes.

[canalon]

First paragraph is OK.
Second one not so much. Membranes are not limited to cell to cell communications but are dividing between inside and outside of cell. It seems obvious, I know, but that is their reason. And the inside is mostly stable in terms of chemical concentrations, composition etc, while the outside can be very unstable. And the transmembranes proteins are going to filter and control what must leave and what can enter the cell (although not 100% control, so molecules can pass freely through the membranes) be it information (signal transduction) or chemical molecules (nutrients in, waste out, plus all specific excreted molecules).

[lindyloo03]

Thanks heaps.

I found the 1st paragraph eventually on the net somewhere, the 2nd came from my head – mmmmm can you tell the difference – haha

[lindyloo03]

A few more quick questions on this subject:

Explain what is meant by the term "intramembranous Proteins"

Intra – inside / membranous – the membrane / Proteins are????

From what I understand it is basically the interaction between the proteins in the plasma membrane with other cells?????

Briefly outline the functions of the intramembranous proteins:

is this the same as the 1st question above basically??

Explain why the shape of intramembranous proteins is significant:

I suppose the shape details the actual function. Each function has a different shape depending on what the protien is required to do. ie. the recepter proteins are going to be shaped to receive and filter products in and out of the cell, where joining protiens are going to be shaped to cling to the other proteins.

Any help big or small is so very muchly appreciated. – thanks Kara!!

[canalon]

Here is a membrane:
your intramembranous proteins are all the protein that are part of the membrane (those that are inside the membrane). As you can see structures are varied, and so are functions. And they are not limited to cell to cell interactions (see my post above).

[lindyloo03]

Thank you so much for that picture, I have not seen it like this so very helpful.
Do you have a link to where you got this picture at all so I can read more into it.

[canalon]

I found it using google image, so I am very sorry not to be able to provide more info. But f you want free and legal access to plenty of very good ooks, I suggest going to the pubmed bookshelf. You will find for example one of the best cell biology books: The molecular biology of the Cell by Alberts. It is here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fc … OC&depth=2
However you can only access it by research (no internal navigation). If you search for "membrane" or for "integral proteins" you should find the chapter that will help you.

Enjoy

[lindyloo03]

thanks heaps

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