Chapter 10, Problem 13P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

To identify the reason for the given observation.

"The oligomers are usually found to have some form of C_n symmetry, rather than D_n or any higher order."

Concept introduction:

Trans-membrane proteins are the integral membrane proteins. These proteins are oligomeric in constitution. These proteins are permanently attached and spans throughout the lipid bilayer. These have a hydrophobic region with higher number of non-polar amino acids and a hydrophilic region containing polar amino acids. There are several identical subunits in the trans-membrane proteins such as amphipathic nature due to the alpha helix form of proteins, glycophorin are present attached to the proteins as homo-dimers and beta barrel form of proteins.