TRANSMEMBRANE HELIX Meaning and
Definition
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A transmembrane helix refers to a structural element found in proteins that spans across the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane. It is composed of a continuous stretch of amino acid residues that form an alpha-helical structure.
The term "transmembrane" signifies that the helix extends through the membrane, thereby traversing both the hydrophobic interior and the hydrophilic exterior of the phospholipid bilayer. This enables the protein to possess the ability to interact with both the intracellular and extracellular environments of the cell.
The transmembrane helix is typically formed by a sequence of amino acid residues that possess hydrophobic or nonpolar properties. This allows them to effectively interact with the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer. Additionally, the helix is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the peptide backbone of the amino acids themselves.
Transmembrane helices play crucial roles in various cellular processes such as signal transduction, ion transport, and molecular recognition. They can function as channels, receptors, enzymes, or anchoring proteins, participating in the transport of ions, small molecules, and signal molecules across the membrane.
Understanding the structure and function of transmembrane helices is essential for grasping the mechanisms underlying cellular processes and developing potential therapeutic targets. Experimental methods such as x-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are often employed to visualize and determine the structure of transmembrane helices, providing insights into their functional roles within the cell membrane.
Common Misspellings for TRANSMEMBRANE HELIX
- rransmembrane helix
- fransmembrane helix
- gransmembrane helix
- yransmembrane helix
- 6ransmembrane helix
- 5ransmembrane helix
- teansmembrane helix
- tdansmembrane helix
- tfansmembrane helix
- ttansmembrane helix
- t5ansmembrane helix
- t4ansmembrane helix
- trznsmembrane helix
- trsnsmembrane helix
- trwnsmembrane helix
- trqnsmembrane helix
- trabsmembrane helix
- tramsmembrane helix
- trajsmembrane helix
- trahsmembrane helix
Etymology of TRANSMEMBRANE HELIX
The term "transmembrane helix" can be broken down into its constituent parts to understand its etymology.
1. Trans-: This prefix comes from the Latin word "trans", meaning "across" or "beyond". It indicates movement or position across or beyond something, in this case, referring to across the membrane.
2. Membrane: This word has its origins in the Latin word "membrana", which means "parchment" or "thin skin". Membrane refers to a thin, pliable sheet-like structure that separates or covers different areas or compartments.
3. Helix: This term originates from the Greek word "helix", meaning "spiral" or "twisted". It refers to a three-dimensional structure that resembles a spiral or corkscrew.
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