Membrane proteins in monolayers, multilayers, and membranes.

Abstract

The physical properties of proteins in "two dimensional" systems are generally different from those in macroscopic (bulk) systems. In this paper we review a number of recent studies of red cell membrane proteins in monolayers and in multilayers of varying thickness. We also consider the movement of proteins in regenerating nerve membranes. The information obtained from these studies sheds light on the transition from surface properties to bulk properties as well as on the differences between diffusion through a surface layer and diffusion within a layer. From these results it appears that the normal membrane thickness may represent an optimum, where there is a maximum in the strength of a layer, an independence of physical properties from variations in thickness, and a relatively low diffusion barrier.