Edited by Karen Young Kreeger
J.A. Bennett, R. Dingledine, "Topology profile for a glutamate receptor: Three transmembrane domains and a channel-lining reentrant membrane loop," Neuron, 14:373-84, 1995. (Cited in more than 50 publications as of December 1996)

Comments by Julie A. Bennett-Desmelik, Emory University


INS AND OUTS: Julie Bennett-Desmelik of Emory studied the topology of glutamate receptor domains.
A nerve cell's membrane contains the machinery that allows cell-to-cell communication. Here, special proteins, or receptors, act as molecular conduits, transferring biochemical information that controls physiological and genetic processes from outside the cell to its interior. These receptors are situated in the membrane, with some portions sticking outside of the cell and some parts inside. The way a protein threads through the membrane is called its topology profile.

"We found that the topology for the glutamate receptor was different than had always been predicted," notes Julie A. Bennett-Desmelik, a...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

Receive full access to digital editions of The Scientist, as well as TS Digest, feature stories, more than 35 years of archives, and much more!
Already a member?