Surface of protein channel in membranes

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the surface structure of protein channels in membranes, which are commonly depicted as cylindrical tubes with smooth surfaces. Participants express that these protein channels are large, flexible molecules lacking a defined surface, often described with informal terms like "fuzzly-wuzzly" and "feebly-weebly." There is a consensus that the visual representations are simplified and do not accurately convey the complexity of their actual structure. The need for more detailed documentation on the surface characteristics of these channels is highlighted.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of protein structure and function
  • Familiarity with membrane biology
  • Basic knowledge of molecular modeling techniques
  • Awareness of biophysical properties of proteins
NEXT STEPS
  • Research advanced molecular modeling tools for protein visualization
  • Explore literature on protein channel flexibility and dynamics
  • Study the impact of protein surface characteristics on function
  • Investigate techniques for imaging protein structures, such as cryo-electron microscopy
USEFUL FOR

Biochemists, molecular biologists, and researchers interested in membrane protein structure and dynamics will benefit from this discussion.

Joppy
MHB
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Do we know roughly what the surface of a protein channel looks like? In most of the diagrams they are depicted as a sort of cylindrical tube with a smooth surface, but I'm curious if there are some more detailed documentations somewhere? For example I know they aren't rigid objects and may be subjected to a sort of 'bending', but I can't find any info on the surface structure.
 
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Joppy said:
Do we know roughly what the surface of a protein channel looks like? In most of the diagrams they are depicted as a sort of cylindrical tube with a smooth surface, but I'm curious if there are some more detailed documentations somewhere? For example I know they aren't rigid objects and may be subjected to a sort of 'bending', but I can't find any info on the surface structure.

Hey Joppy!

Just my 2 cents.

I think they are just large molecules with no particular surface other then some fuzzly-wuzzly feebly-weebly shape.
We would just picture them as cylindrical tubes with some artificial surface details to explain what they do based on what we've observed them to do.
 
I like Serena said:
Hey Joppy!

Just my 2 cents.

I think they are just large molecules with no particular surface other then some fuzzly-wuzzly feebly-weebly shape.
We would just picture them as cylindrical tubes with some artificial surface details to explain what they do based on what we've observed them to do.

Mmmm. Fuzzly-wuzzly feebly-weebly shape it is then! :) Thanks.
 

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