The protein-lipid interface: perspectives from magnetic resonance and crystal structures

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2004 Nov 3;1666(1-2):118-41. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2004.08.006.

Abstract

Lipid-protein interactions in membranes are dynamic, and consequently are well studied by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. More recently, lipids associated with integral membrane proteins have been resolved in crystals by X-ray diffraction, mostly at cryogenic temperatures. The conformation and chain ordering of lipids in crystals of integral proteins are reviewed here and are compared and contrasted with results from magnetic resonance and with the crystal structures of phospholipid bilayers. Various aspects of spin-label magnetic resonance studies on lipid interactions with single integral proteins are also reviewed: specificity for phosphatidylcholine, competition with local anaesthetics, oligomer formation of single transmembrane helices, and protein-linked lipid chains. Finally, the interactions between integral proteins and peripheral or lipid-linked proteins, as reflected by the lipid-protein interactions in double reconstitutions, are considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Membrane Lipids / chemistry*
  • Membrane Lipids / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Binding
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Membrane Lipids
  • Membrane Proteins