The Membrane-water Interface Region of Membrane Proteins: Structural Bias and the Anti-snorkeling Effect

Membrane proteins have important roles in many cellular processes. Computational analysis of their sequences and structures has provided much insight into the organizing principles of transmembrane helices. In a recent study, the membrane-water interface region was examined in detail for the first time. The results have revealed that this interface region has an important role in constraining protein secondary structure. This study raises new questions and opens up new directions for studying membrane proteins.