Cation-π Interactions and their Functional Roles in Membrane Proteins

Cation-pi interactions arise as a result of strong attractive forces between positively charged entities and the pi-electron cloud of aromatic groups. The physicochemical characteristics of cation-pi interactions are particularly well-suited to the dual hydrophobic/hydrophilic environment of membrane proteins. As high-resolution structural data of membrane proteins bring molecular features into increasingly sharper view, cation-pi interactions are gaining traction as essential contributors to membrane protein chemistry, function, and pharmacology. Here we review the physicochemical properties of cation-pi interactions and present several prominent examples which demonstrate significant roles for this specialized biological chemistry. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

Cation-pi interactions arise from the strong attraction between positively charged entities and the pi-electron cloud of aromatic groups, making them well-suited to the hydrophobic/hydrophilic environment of membrane proteins. As high-resolution structural data of membrane proteins become clearer, cation-pi interactions are increasingly recognized as essential contributors to membrane protein chemistry, function, and pharmacology. Prominent examples demonstrate the significant roles of cation-pi interactions in specialized biological chemistry.