Aims

• To reinforce knowledge about the structure helical membrane proteins.
• To give practice in using molecular graphics software.

Objectives

After this practical you will:

• be aware of the structures of some transmembrane proteins.

Exercises

1. Protein Data Bank entry 1H68 contains the structure of Sensory Rhodopsin II. Look at the distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues in this structure.

2. Protein Data Bank entry 1FJK contains the structure of Phospholamban (with residue 41 mutated from Cys to Phe).

   Simmerman et al. (1996) have identified residues whose mutation to Ala or Phe affected Phospholamban's ability to form a pentamer. Locate these residues on the three-dimensional structure of Phospholamban.

   • Simmerman HK, Kobayashi YM, Autry JM, Jones LR. A leucine zipper stabilizes the pentameric membrane domain of phospholamban and forms a coiled-coil pore structure. J Biol Chem. 1996 Mar 8;271(10):5941-6. (PubMed)