Question

Which of the following is true regarding Prediction of β-Barrel Membrane Proteins?

(a) For membrane proteins with β-strands only, the β-strands forming the transmembrane segment are amphipathic in nature

(b) For membrane proteins with β-strands only, the β-strands forming the transmembrane segment are only hydrophilic in nature

(c) For membrane proteins with β-strands only, the β-strands forming the transmembrane segment are only hydrophobic in nature

(d) They contain six to nine residues

The question was asked during an online exam.

This intriguing question comes from Secondary Structure Prediction for Transmembrane Proteins in division Secondary Structure Prediction of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) For membrane proteins with β-strands only, the β-strands forming the transmembrane segment are amphipathic in nature

Explanation: As stated, for membrane proteins with β-strands only, the β-strands forming the transmembrane segment are amphipathic in nature. They contain ten to twenty-two residues with every second residue being hydrophobic and facing the lipid bilayers whereas the other residues facing the pore of the β-barrel are more hydrophilic.