Function Investigations and Applications of Membrane Proteins on Artificial Lipid Membranes

Membrane proteins play an important role in key cellular functions, such as signal transduction, apoptosis, and metabolism. Therefore, structural and functional studies of these proteins are essential in fields such as fundamental biology, medical science, pharmacology, biotechnology, and bioengineering. However, observing the precise elemental reactions and structures of membrane proteins is difficult, despite their functioning through interactions with various biomolecules in living cells. To investigate these properties, methodologies have been developed to study the functions of membrane proteins that have been purified from biological cells. In this paper, we introduce various methods for creating liposomes or lipid vesicles, from conventional to recent approaches, as well as techniques for reconstituting membrane proteins into artificial membranes. We also cover the different types of artificial membranes that can be used to observe the functions of reconstituted membrane proteins, including their structure, number of transmembrane domains, and functional type. Finally, we discuss the reconstitution of membrane proteins using a cell-free synthesis system and the reconstitution and function of multiple membrane proteins.

Automated summary

Membrane proteins are crucial for various cellular functions, and their structural and functional studies are important in fields like biology, medicine, pharmacology, biotechnology, and bioengineering. However, observing their precise reactions and structures is challenging. This paper introduces methods for creating liposomes or lipid vesicles and techniques for reconstituting membrane proteins into artificial membranes. It also discusses different types of artificial membranes used to observe the functions of reconstituted membrane proteins, and the reconstitution and function of multiple membrane proteins using a cell-free synthesis system.