Media highlights in the November issues of Biophysic...(lar basis of life mainly stems from the ...)

Date:10/31/2007

lar basis of life mainly stems from the determination of structures of the molecules of life, for instance proteins, DNA, and RNA. However, living cells largely function through the formation of short-lived complexes between such molecules, and in many cases such complexes are not accessible to existing approaches for structure determination. We introduce a new, broadly applicable approach that is based on distance measurements in the nanometer range between sites in the component molecules by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. This approach can provide highly resolved structures of biomacromolecular complexes if the structures of the components are known beforehand. It is applied to a dimer of the membrane transport protein NhaA, which is responsible for regulation of the intracellular pH in cells of Escherichia coli. Since the function of NhaA critically depends on dimerization, the dimer structure provides new insight into the mechanism of ion transportation through cell membranes by this protein.

'/>"/>

Contact: Ellen R. Weiss eweiss@biophysics.org 301-634-7176 Biophysical Society Source:Eurekalert

0 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Gene sequencing explains bioremediation bug
2. FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Home-Use Diagnostic Kits Marketed by Globus Media
3. Activation of thermoreceptors mediates raw garlics burning pungency
4. A hope for oil spill bioremediation
5. Leading scientists rank endangered dolphins, porpoises most in need of immediate action
6. Several minute intermediate stage in virus-cell fusion discovered; opportunity for drug development
7. HIV accessory protein disables host immunity via receptor-protein intermediary
8. New journal article urges use of animal serum-free media for growing live cells
9. miRNA-mediated silencing of mRNAs
10. Endosome-mediated signaling in plants
11. New book highlights worlds borderless conservation areas