The mission of the recently proposed Joint Center for Innovative Membrane Protein Technologies (JCIMPT) is to develop and disseminate methods and technologies for structure-grade production of integral membrane proteins. Miniaturization and automation are major components in the systematic investigation of membrane proteins and in the development of novel genetically engineered expression systems and sample preparation technologies. The structure of the JCIMPT includes three primary projects: IMPEE - Integral Membrane Protein Expression Engineering; IMPSP - Integral Membrane Protein Sample Preparation; and IMPBC - Integral Membrane Protein Biophysical Characterization.

 

The JCIMPT Fundamental Philosophy in Technology Development is miniaturization, automation, acceleration, and cost reduction. A pictoral history of these developments and illustration of future possibilities is below. In addition, the JCIMPT has established several Technology Collaborations - visit here to find out more.

JCIMPT - Integral Membrane Protein Targets Being Studied

Bacterial Targets
 Eukaryotic/Mammalian Targets
ABC Transporters
35
 Ion Channels
20
Secondary Transporters
40
 Transporters
35
SMR Transporters
2
 Non GPCR Receptors
15
MOP Transporters
2
 GPCR Receptors
182
Ion Channels
8
 ** Total Eukaryotic Targets **
252
Targets whose structures are already determined by x-ray crystallography
6
** Total Bacterial Targets **
87

Selected membrane protein structures organised by class with year of structure determination
Information obtained from http://www.mpibp.grankfurt.mpg.de/michel/public/memprotstruct.html
and http://blanco.biomol.uci.edu/Membrane_Proteins_xtal.html
and published in reference R.C. Stevens. "The cost and value of three-dimensional protein structure" Drug Discovery World, 4, 35-48 (2003).

Monotopic membrane proteins

Prostaglandin H2 Synthase (1994)
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (1996)
Squalene Cyclase (1999)
Monamine Oxidase (2002)
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) (2002)

Beta-barrel

TolcC (200)
OmpA (1998)
OmpX (1999)
OmpLA (1999)
FhuA (1998)
FecA (2002)

Rhodopsins

Bacterial Rhodopsins (1997)
Halo Rhodopsins (2000)
Sensory Rhodopsins (2001)
GPCR Bovine Rhodopsin (2000)

Prokaryotic Ion Channels

KcsA K+ (1998)
MthK K+ (2002)
MscL Mechano (1998)
Chloride (2002)
Aquaporin (2001)
Photosynthetic Reaction Center (1985) ATPase (2000)
Light Harvesting Complexes (1995) P450s (2000)

Toxins

Alpha Hemolysin (1996)
LukF (1999)

Respiratory

Fumerate Reductase (1999)
ATP Synthase (1999)

Porins (6 different) 1992

Photosystem I (1997)
Photosystem II (2001)

 Cytochrome C oxidase (1995)
Cytochrome bcl complex (1997)

last updated June 29, 2005 - send corrections and comments to Angela Walker (alwalker@scripps.edu)