Force as a probe of membrane protein structure and function

Force measurement techniques are being used increasingly to explore the mec hanical properties of proteins, as well as the structural origins of interm olecular forces. Developments in instrumentation and the increasing availab ility of engineered and purified membrane proteins have widely expanded the range of biological systems that can be addressed. Within the past year, f orce measurements have identified novel mechanisms of binding between cell- surface proteins, as well as the mechanical properties of integral membrane proteins and the intramolecular interactions that stabilize their structur es.