Wie falten Membranproteine? — Schritt für Schritt!?

Membrane proteins have complex structures containing multiple structural elements. Using the aquaglyceroporin GlpF of the bacterium Escherichia colias an example, we highlight individual steps and intermediates in the assembly pathway of a complex membrane protein. Folding of GlpF involves specific transmembrane helix-helix interactions, folding of individual domains and formation of re-entry loops, as well as assembly of a GlpF tetramer, the physiological and functional protein state.