Cation-π Interactions and their Functional Roles in Membrane Proteins. Issue 17 (20th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Infield, Daniel T.; Rasouli, Ali; Galles, Grace D.; Chipot, Christophe; Tajkhorshid, Emad; Ahern, Christopher A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of molecular biology. Volume 433:Issue 17(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-20
• Subjects: cation-π interactions -- computational chemistry -- ion channels -- GPCR -- genetic code expansion; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Bacteriology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Biologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Périodiques; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Moleculaire biologie; Biochemistry; Biology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2836

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Physicochemical characteristics are summarized. Cation- π abundance is in membrane proteins assessed via automated structural analysis. Methods to assess cation- π interactions are discussed. Examples of cation- π interactions in diverse protein types are highlighted. Abstract: Cation-π interactions arise as a result of strong attractive forces between positively charged entities and the π-electron cloud of aromatic groups. The physicochemical characteristics of cation-π interactions are particularly well-suited to the dual hydrophobic/hydrophilic environment of membrane proteins. As high-resolution structural data of membrane proteins bring molecular features into increasingly sharper view, cation-π interactions are gaining traction as essential contributors to membrane protein chemistry, function, and pharmacology. Here we review the physicochemical properties of cation-π interactions and present several prominent examples which demonstrate significant roles for this specialized biological chemistry.