A transport protein (variously referrred to as a transmembrane pump, transporter protein, escort protein, fatty acid transport protein, cation transport protein, or anion transport protein) is a protein which serves the function of moving other materials within an organism. Transport proteins are vital to the growth and life of all living things. There are several different kinds of transport proteins.
Carrier proteins are proteins involved in the movement of ions, small molecules, or macromolecules, such as another protein, across a biological membrane.[1] Carrier proteins are integral membrane proteins; that is they exist within and span the membrane across which they transport substances. The proteins may assist in the movement of substances by facilitated diffusion or active transport. These mechanisms of movement are known as carrier mediated transport.[2] Each carrier protein is designed to recognize only one substance or one group of very similar substances. Research has correlated defects in specific carrier proteins with specific diseases.[3] A membrane transport protein (or simply transporter) is a membrane protein[4] which acts as such a carrier.
A vesicular transport protein is a transmembrane or membrane associated protein. It regulates or facilitates the movement by vesicles of the contents of the cell.[5]