Membrane channel
| Membrane channel | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Rod model of the influenza M2 proton channel , in complex with rimantadine ( calottes ), according to PDB 2RLF | ||
| Transporter classification | ||
| TCDB | 1 | |
| designation | Channels / porins | |
| Occurrence | ||
| Parent taxon | Creature | |
Membrane channels transport ions or molecules through biological membranes in the cell . These transport systems catalyze the energy-independent facilitated diffusion through a transmembrane channel. They have no stereospecificity, but can be specific for a class of molecules.
The channel-forming proteins include the protein families of the α- helical channel proteins (such as ion channels ) and non-ribosomally synthesized channels (such as gramicidin , digitoxin ), as well as the holins.
Membrane channels and pore-forming proteins together form a class of transport proteins in the TCDB classification.