Tolerance to changes in membrane lipid composition as a selected trait of membrane proteins.

ABSTRACT: Membrane lipid composition can vary dramatically across the three domains of life and even within single organisms. Here we review evidence that the lipid-exposed surfaces of membrane proteins have generally evolved to maintain correct structure and function in the face of major changes in lipid composition. Such tolerance has allowed evolution to extensively remodel membrane lipid compositions during the emergence of new species without having to extensively remodel the associated membrane proteins. The tolerance of membrane proteins also permits single-cell organisms to vary their membrane lipid composition in response to their changing environments and allows dynamic and organelle-specific variations in the lipid compositions of eukaryotic cells. Membrane protein structural biology has

SUBMITTER: Sanders CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3172382 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature