Transport protein, molecular architecture

In this chapter we first describe the composition of cellular membranes and their chemical architecture— the molecular structures that underlie their biological functions. Next, we consider the remarkable dynamic features of membranes, in which lipids and proteins move relative to each other. Cell adhesion, endocytosis, and the membrane fusion accompanying neurotransmitter secretion illustrate the dynamic role of membrane proteins. We then turn to the protein-mediated passage of solutes across membranes via transporters and ion channels. In later chapters we discuss the role of membranes in signal transduction (Chapters 12 and 23), energy transduction (Chapter 19), lipid synthesis (Chapter 21), and protein synthesis (Chapter 27). 

Myxobacteria present one of the richest sources of structurally novel types of natural products and an impressive number of architecturally unique and biosynthetically diverse metabolites have been isolated from these gliding bacteria/ Many of these metabolites exhibit important biological properties, including antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, or antiproliferative activities. In many cases, molecular targets are specifically addressed, ranging from the cytoskeleton, nucleic acid polymerases, the respiratory chain, nuclear transport, microfilaments, and protein or fatty acid synthesis. 

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