Now, scientists at the Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology (UNIST) have sung a different tune. In doing so, they have charted — for the first time — the intermediate stages leading to the pairing of cell membrane proteins. The research team is under the direction of Professor Duyoung Min of the Department of Chemistry. Using real-time single-molecule analysis, they were able to closely follow the dynamic pairing process for the first time. These fundamental dominoes of cellular communication are better understood thanks to this study, which reveals how membrane proteins associate and organize themselves on cell membranes.
The study, published in the world-renowned journal Nature Communications, points to the importance of cell membrane protein pairing as a tool to combat such diseases. The knowledge acquired from these screens can inform the creation of more refined and active drugs. This is particularly the case for targeted therapies. The breast cancer drug Perjeta had the same mechanism, working by stopping the duplication of protein pairings. We don’t fully understand these mechanisms, but a better understanding could lead to improved treatment strategies for dozens of diseases.
Understanding Cell Membrane Protein Pairing
Cell membrane proteins are crucial actors in cellular homeostasis and communication. Living in the outer membranes of our cells, they facilitate a wide array of interactions. They zeroed in on these mature complex-forming integral proteins, revealing the pathway by which those proteins come together at each stage. To probe the physical properties of SR, the research team used single-molecule tweezers, a revolutionary technique. This incredible new tool allowed them to detect unappreciated cryptic dimerization patterns in transmembrane proteins.
The researchers looked at these middle stages. Most importantly, the study elucidated that protein interactions occur over time, not immediately. This finding is important. It provides a view into how these proteins interact at a molecular level, which is the first step towards knowing how to manipulate them best in the name of health and curing disease.
Implications for Drug Design
The results of this study carry great significance for the practice of drug design. Getting a detailed picture of how pairs of cell membrane proteins fit together is immensely important. Such insights can lay the foundation for creating therapies that are more specific and effective. The research team is convinced that their new insights open the way for new drugs. These small molecules might be able to activate or block certain interactions with a particular protein.
Herceptin Perjeta prevents certain protein pairings associated with metastatic breast cancer. Further investigation of these interactions may provide new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of cancer and other pathological states. Researchers hope that further exploration into cell membrane protein dynamics will open new paths forward for drug discovery.
A Major Turning Point in Cellular Communication
Professor Duyoung Min, co-author of the study, said this find represents a dramatic watershed moment in how we comprehend cellular communication. This capacity to visualize the intermediate steps in protein binding deepens the scientific community’s understanding of essential biological mechanisms. Beyond academic literature, this research is being applied in medicine and biotechnology.
This study was first posted on 9/22/2025—downloaded September 23, 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-09-ocean-extraction-earths-lithium.html—doi:10.1038/s41467-025-62852-1. As researchers continue to explore the complexities of cell membrane proteins, this work at UNIST stands as a pioneering effort that could significantly influence future scientific advancements.