27 Oct 2005

Earlier this month, a study previously reported in our Conference News appeared in PNAS. Researchers led by structural biologist James Bowie at University of California, Los Angeles, report that a glycine zipper motif in membrane protein sequences creates a driving force for packing of those proteins against neighboring protein helices. Aβ channels or related structures might form in the process, Bowie suggests. Review the story from last year's NBA conference for a summary, context, and some commentary on the study, and write back with your comments.—Gabrielle Strobel