Introduction - This script shows the structure of a porin. Porins
form water channels in the outer membrane of bacteria. Scroll down
until the text corresponding to the view is visible. (Based 1prn.pdb,
A.Kreusch & G.E.Schulz J. Mol. Biol 243
891 (1994)).
Porins form a 16 or 18-stranded beta barrel in the membrane with a water filled
core.
The basic structure is an amphipathic beta sheet with the hydrophobic
side chains (GREEN) pointing
out into the membrane.
The hydrophilic side chains (RED)
point inward to form the water-filled channel.