Bacterial outer membrane proteins: Topological analyses and biotechnological perspectives

The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) from Gram-negative bacteria form a disti nct group of integral membrane proteins with unusual primary, secondary and tertiary structures. Unlike typical prokaryotic or eukaryotic membrane pro teins, bacterial OMPs contain primarily polar sequences, arranged in amphip athic antiparallel beta-barrels, and inclined to the plane of the membrane. Due to their unique structure, OMPs have recently become the subject of ex tensive study. This article reviews (i) experimental and theoretical approa ches of topological analysis used in the study of OMPs, and (ii) the applic ations of OMPs.