In addition to a large number of membrane proteins that comprise most alpha-helix transmembrane segments, there are also many transmembrane proteins with mostly beta-sheets, called beta-barrel membrane proteins. These beta-barrel proteins are often involved in molecular transports. Some are enzymes that are involved in lipid metabolism. We now use the QTY code to design water-soluble beta-barrel transmembrane proteins. Such water-soluble, beta-barrel proteins will facilitate studies of the molecular mechanisms of high selectivity of molecular transport and how these beta-barrel membrane proteins carry out lipid catalysis and metabolism. New insight gained from these studies may be useful for further designs of new molecular devices.
In collaboration with Prof. Tao Fei’s lab (Shanghai Jiaotong University, China).