Membrane transport protein

A membrane transport protein (or simply transporter) is a membrane protein[1] involved in the movement of ions, small molecules, or macromolecules, such as another protein, across a biological membrane. Transport proteins are integral transmembrane proteins; that is they exist permanently within and span the membrane across which they transport substances. The proteins may assist in the movement of substances by facilitated diffusion or active transport. These mechanisms of action are known as carrier-mediated transport.[2]

Difference between protein channels and protein carriers

Types

(Grouped by Transporter Classification database categories)

1: Channels/pores

Facilitated diffusion occurs in and out of the cell membrane via channels/pores and carriers/porters.

Note:

Channels are either in open state or closed state. When a channel is opened with a slight conformational switch, it is open to both environment simultaneously (extracellular and intracellular)

Pores are continuously open to these both environment, because they do not undergo conformational changes. They are always open and active.

2: Electrochemical potential-driven transporters

3: Primary active transporters

4: Group translocators

The group translocators provide a special mechanism for the phosphorylation of sugars as they are transported into bacteria (PEP group translocation)

5: Electron carriers

The transmembrane electron transfer carriers in the membrane include two-electron carriers, such as the disulfide bond oxidoreductases (DsbB and DsbD in E. coli) as well as one-electron carriers such as NADPH oxidase. Often these redox proteins are not considered transport proteins.

See also

References

External links

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