Lipids/proteins

Question 1

What is rhodopsin?

Answer 1

Rhodopsin is an integral protein that spans the membrane.

Question 2

What is a heterotrimeric G protein?

Answer 2

A heterotrimeric G protein is a peripheral protein consisting of three different subunits marked alpha, beta, and gamma.

Question 3

How are proteins attached to the membrane?

Answer 3

Proteins can be attached to the membrane by spanning it completely, often in the form of an alpha-helix or beta-sheet, or by being anchored to lipids via covalent bonds.

Question 4

What are common lipid anchors for membrane proteins?

Answer 4

Common lipid anchors include myristoyl and palmitoyl groups.

Question 5

What is N-myristoylation?

Answer 5

N-myristoylation is the attachment of a myristoyl group to a protein at an N-terminal glycine residue.

Question 6

What is S-palmitoylation?

Answer 6

S-palmitoylation involves thioester linkages occurring at cysteine residues within the polypeptide chain.

Question 7

What is the function of membrane proteins?

Answer 7

Membrane proteins have a variety of functions, many of which are crucial to the overall functions of the membrane.

Question 8

What are G-protein-coupled receptors?

Answer 8

G-protein-coupled receptors are proteins with seven transmembrane segments that may contain palmitoyl anchors.