WEB FOCUS

Cell & Membrane Biology

In this focus:

Current research | Weblinks | Archive

Sealed membrane systems are a defining feature of cellular life. They provide a barrier between the cell and its external environment and, in eukaryotes, divide the interior of the cell into functionally distinct compartments. Membrane proteins comprise around a third of gene products in most organisms and research is being revolutionised by the structural analysis of increasingly complex macromolecular systems.

A flavour of the current excitement in cell and membrane biology can be obtained in the research articles and reviews presented in this Nature web focus.

Current research

ARTICLE

Lipid-protein interactions in double-layered two-dimensional APQ0 crystals Free access

Tamir Gonon et al

Nature 438, 633–638 (01 December 2005) doi:10.1038/nature04321

Abstract | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information

NEWS AND VIEWS

Cell biology: A greasy grip Free access

Anthony G. Lee

Nature 438, 569–570 (01 December 2005) doi:10.1038/438569a

Full Text | PDF

MEMBRANE BIOLOGY INSIGHT INTRODUCTION

Membranes are more fluid than mosaic Free access

Donald M. Engleman

Nature 438, 578–580 (01 December 2005) doi:10.1038/nature04394

Abstract | Full Text | PDF

MEMBRANE BIOLOGY INSIGHT REVIEW

Solving the membrane folding problem Free access

James U. Bowie

Nature 438, 581–589 (01 December 2005) doi:10.1038/nature04395

Abstract | Full Text | PDF

Web links

• Membrane Biology Insight
• Image Gallery 'Cell of the Month'
• Landmark papers in Cell Biology 2004 web focus
• Nature Cell Biology web focus on Membrane Traffic
• Milestones in Cell Division

Archive

NEWS AND VIEWS

Cell biology: Two pores better than one?

Arnold J. M. Driessen

Nature 438, 299 - 300 (17 November 2005) doi:10.1038/438299a

Full Text | PDF

Molecular physiology: Intimate contact enables transport

Baruch I. Kanner

Nature 437, 203 - 205 (8 September 2005) doi:10.1038/437203a

Full Text | PDF

Cell biology: Border crossing

James U. Bowie

Nature 433, 367 - 369 (27 January 2005) doi:10.1038/433367a

Full Text | PDF

Neurobiology: Accessing a transporter structure

Michael P. Kavanaugh

Nature 431, 752 - 753 (14 October 2004) doi:10.1038/431752a

Full Text | PDF

ARTICLES

Structure of the E. coli protein-conducting channel bound to a translating ribosome

Kakoli Mitral et al

Nature 438, 318-324 (17 November 2005) doi:10.1038/nature04133

First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information

Crystal structure of a bacterial homologue of Na+/Cl--dependent neurotransmitter transporters

Atsuko Yamashita et al

Nature 437, 215-223 (8 September 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03978

First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information

Genome-wide analysis of human kinases in clathrin- and caveolae/raft-mediated endocytosis

Lucas Pelkmans

Nature 436, 78-86 (7 July 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03571

First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information

Recognition of transmembrane helices by the endoplasmic reticulum translocon

Tara Hessa et al

Nature 433, 377-381 (27 January 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03216

First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information

Structure of a glutamate transporter homologue from Pyrococcus horikoshii

Dinesh Yernool et al

Nature 431, 811-818 (14 October 2004) doi:10.1038/nature03018

First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information

LETTERS TO NATURE

A substrate-specific inhibitor of protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum

Jennifer L. Garrison et al

Nature 436, 285-289 (14 July 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03821

First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information

Selective inhibition of cotranslational translocation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1

Jürgen Besemer

Nature 436, 290-293 (14 July 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03670

First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF | Supplementary Information