What Do All β-Barrel Transmembrane Proteins Have in Common

Question

What do all β-barrel transmembrane proteins have in common?
A) The number of β strands.
B) The diameter of the barrel.
C) The number of negative peaks in their hydropathy plots.
D) The general function, i.e. membrane transport.
E) The structural rigidity compared to α-helical transmembrane proteins.

Accepted Answer

The β-barrel arrangement results in higher structural rigidity compared to α helices. The β-barrel proteins vary in their size and the number of strands, and only some of them form membrane-spanning pores for transport.