A new method for the reconstitution of membrane proteins into giant unilamellar vesicles

Lateral diffusion of membrane proteins

We measured the lateral mobility of integral membrane proteins reconstituted in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Receptor, channel, and transporter proteins with 1-36 transmembrane segments (lateral radii ranging from 0.5 to 4 nm) and a alpha-helical peptide (radius of 0.5 nm) were fluorescently labeled and incorporated into GUVs. At low protein-to-lipid ratios (i.e., 10-100 proteins per microm(2) of membrane surface), the diffusion coefficient D displayed a weak dependence on the hydrodynamic radius (R) of the proteins [D scaled with ln(1/R)], consistent with the Saffman-Delbruck model. At higher protein-to lipid ratios (up to 3000 microm(-2)), the lateral diffusion coefficient of the molecules decreased linearly with increasing the protein concentration in the membrane. The implications of our findings for protein mobility in biological membranes (protein crowding of approximately 25,000 microm(-2)) and use of diffusion measurements for protein geometry (size, oligomerization) determinations are discussed.

Asymmetrical stress generated by the erythrocyte lipid flippase triggers multiple bud formation on the surface of spherical giant liposomes

Proteo-giant liposomes were electroformed from a mixture of lecithin vesicles and inside-out vesicles from erythrocytes. After addition of Mg-ATP in the vicinity of the proteo-giant liposomes, small buds appeared on the liposome surfaces, which--via an increase in lipids in the outer monolayer--demonstrated the active transport of lipids from the inner to the outer monolayer, indicating flippase activity.

The M34A mutant of Connexin26 reveals active conductance states in pore-suspending membranes

Connexin26 (Cx26) is a member of the connexin family, the building blocks for gap junction intercellular channels. These dodecameric assemblies are involved in gap junction-mediated cell-cell communication allowing the passage of ions and small molecules between two neighboring cells. Mutations in Cx26 lead to the disruption of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication with consequences such as hearing loss and skin disorders. We show here that a mutant of Cx26, M34A, forms an active hemichannel in lipid bilayer experiments. A comparison with the Cx26 wild-type is presented. Two different techniques using micro/nano-structured substrates for the formation of pore-suspending lipid membranes are used. We reconstituted the Cx26 wild-type and Cx26M34A into artificial lipid bilayers and observed single channel activity for each technique, with conductance levels of around 35, 70 and 165 pS for the wild-type. The conductance levels of Cx26M34A were found at around 45 and 70 pS.

Integrin reconstituted in GUVs: a biomimetic system to study initial steps of cell spreading

A novel in vitro membrane system mimicking the first steps of integrin-mediated cell spreading has been developed and characterized. We have reconstituted the transmembrane alpha(IIb)beta(3) integrin into giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). The reconstitution process has been validated by analyzing protein incorporation and biological activity by checking the specific interaction of GUVs containing integrin with quantum dots (QD) or surfaces coated with the integrin receptor tri-peptide RGD.(1) The spreading dynamics of integrin-functionalized GUVs onto fibrinogen-coated surfaces has been monitored by Reflection Interference Contrast Microscopy (RICM). Our results are quantitatively consistent with a theoretical model based on a dewetting process coupled to binder diffusion and provide a comprehensive description of the following sequence: i) nucleation and growth of adhesive patches coupled to the diffusion of the adhesive proteins to these adhesive zones ii) fusion of patches and formation of an adhesive ring iii) complete spreading of the GUV by dewetting of the central liquid film from the border to form an adhesive circular patch that is not significantly enriched in integrins, as compared to the unbound membrane. This finding is consistent with the recognized role of the actin cytoskeleton in stabilizing focal complexes and focal adhesions in a cell-extracellular matrix contact. These very large unilamellar integrin-containing vesicles provide a unique artificial system, which could be further developed towards realistic cell mimic and used to study the complexity of integrin-mediated cell spreading.

A giant liposome for single-molecule observation of conformational changes in membrane proteins

We present an experimental system that allows visualization of conformational changes in membrane proteins at the single-molecule level. The target membrane protein is reconstituted in a giant liposome for independent control of the aqueous environments on the two sides of the membrane. For direct observation of conformational changes, an extra-liposomal site(s) of the target protein is bound to a glass surface, and a probe that is easily visible under a microscope, such as a micron-sized plastic bead, is attached to another site on the intra-liposomal side. A conformational change, or an angular motion in the tiny protein molecule, would manifest as a visible motion of the probe. The attachment of the protein on the glass surface also immobilizes the liposome, greatly facilitating its manipulation such as the probe injection. As a model system, we reconstituted ATP synthase (F(O)F(1)) in liposomes tens of mum in size, attached the protein specifically to a glass surface, and demonstrated its ATP-driven rotation in the membrane through the motion of a submicron bead.

Membrane tension lowering induced by protein activity

Using videomicroscopy we present measurements of the fluctuation spectrum of giant vesicles containing bacteriorhodopsin pumps. When the pumps are activated, we observe a significant increase of the fluctuations in the low wave vector region, which we interpret as due to a lowering of the effective tension of the membrane.

Giant unilamellar vesicle electroformation from lipid mixtures to native membranes under physiological conditions

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are well-known model systems, especially because they are easily observable using optical microscopy. In this chapter, we revisit in detail the versatile GUV electroformation protocol. We demonstrate how GUV electroformation can be adapted to various membrane systems including synthetic lipid mixtures, natural lipid extracts, and bilayers containing membrane proteins. Further, we show how to adjust this protocol to a given aqueous environment and prove that GUVs can be obtained under physiologically relevant conditions, that is, in the presence of electrolytes. Finally, we provide firm evidence that electroformation is a method of choice to produce giant vesicles from native cell membranes. This is illustrated with the example of GUV electroformation from red blood cell ghosts in a physiologically pertinent buffer. GUVs obtained in this manner maintain the native membrane asymmetry, thereby validating the physiological relevance of GUV electroformation.

Biophysical approaches to protein-induced membrane deformations in trafficking

Membrane traffic requires membrane deformation to generate vesicles and tubules. Strong evidence suggests that assembly of curvature-active proteins can drive such membrane shape changes. Well-documented pathways often involve protein scaffolds, in particular coats (clathrin or COP). However, membrane curvature should, in principle, be influenced by any protein binding asymmetrically on a membrane; large membrane morphological changes could result from their aggregation. In the case of Shiga toxin or viral matrix proteins, tubules and buds appear to result from the cargo-driven formation of protein-lipid nanodomains, showing that collective protein behaviour is crucial in the process. We argue here that a combination of in vitro experiments on giant unilamellar vesicles and theoretical modelling based on statistical physics is ideally suited to tackle these collective effects.

Biofunctionalized lipid-polymer hybrid nanocontainers with controlled permeability

We have successfully developed, for the first time, a novel polymer-lipid hybrid nanocontainer with controlled permeability functionality. The nanocontainer is made by nanofabricating holes with desired dimensions in an impermeable polymer scaffold by focused ion beam drilling and sealing them with lipid bilayers containing remote-controlled pore-forming channel proteins. This system allows exchange of solutions only after channel activation at will to form temporary pores in the container. Potential applications are foreseen in bionanosensors, nanoreactors, nanomedicine, and triggered delivery.

Giant unilamellar vesicle formation under physiologically relevant conditions

We present an upgrade to the giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) electroformation method allowing easy GUV production in different buffers and with various membrane compositions. Our experimental results reveal that lipid deposits obtained from aqueous liposome or proteoliposome dispersions are highly efficient for GUV electroformation. This is related to the ability of such dispersions to produce readily well-oriented membrane stacks. Furthermore, we present a protocol for GUV electroformation in various aqueous media, including electrolyte-containing buffers at characteristic concentrations of biological fluids. This work unlocks historical barriers to GUV applications in scientific fields like biology, biochemistry, or biophysics where membrane composition, as well as its aqueous environment, should be adapted to biological significance.

SNAREpin/Munc18 promotes adhesion and fusion of large vesicles to giant membranes

Exocytic vesicle fusion requires both the SNARE family of fusion proteins and a closely associated regulatory subunit of the Sec1/Munc18 (SM) family. In principle, SM proteins could act at an early SNARE assembly step to promote vesicle-plasma membrane adhesion or at a late step to overcome the energetic barrier for fusion. Here, we use the neuronal cognates of each of these protein families to recapitulate, and distinguish, membrane adhesion and fusion on a novel lipidic platform suitable for imaging by fluorescence microscopy. Vesicle SNARE (v-SNARE) proteins reconstituted into giant vesicles ( approximately 10 mum) are fully mobile and functional. Through confocal microscopy, we observe that large vesicles ( approximately 100 nm) carrying target membrane SNAREs (t-SNAREs) both adhere to and freely move on the surface of the v-SNARE giant vesicle. Under conditions where the intrinsic ability of SNAREs to drive fusion is minimized, Munc18 stimulates both SNARE-dependent stable adhesion and fusion. Furthermore, mutation of a critical Munc18-binding residue on the N terminus of the t-SNARE syntaxin uncouples Munc18-stimulated vesicle adhesion from membrane fusion. We expect that the study of SNARE-mediated fusion with giant membranes will find wide applicability in distinguishing adhesion- and fusion-directed SNARE regulatory factors.

Liposomes: technologies and analytical applications

Liposomes are structurally and functionally some of the most versatile supramolecular assemblies in existence. Since the beginning of active research on lipid vesicles in 1965, the field has progressed enormously and applications are well established in several areas, such as drug and gene delivery. In the analytical sciences, liposomes serve a dual purpose: Either they are analytes, typically in quality-assessment procedures of liposome preparations, or they are functional components in a variety of new analytical systems. Liposome immunoassays, for example, benefit greatly from the amplification provided by encapsulated markers, and nanotube-interconnected liposome networks have emerged as ultrasmall-scale analytical devices. This review provides information about new developments in some of the most actively researched liposome-related topics.

Model membrane systems and their applications

The complexity of biological membranes has motivated the development of a wide variety of simpler model systems whose size, geometry, and composition can be tailored with great precision. Approaches highlighted in this review are illustrated in Figure 1 including vesicles, supported bilayers, and hybrid membrane systems. These have been used to study problems ranging from phase behavior to membrane fusion. Experimental membrane models continue to advance in complexity with respect to architecture, size, and composition, as do computer simulations of their properties and dynamics. Analytical techniques such as imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry have also been developed and refined to give increasing spatial resolution and information content on membrane composition and dynamics.

Active membranes studied by X-ray scattering

In view of recent theories of "active" membranes, we have studied multilamellar phospholipid membrane stacks with reconstituted transmembrane protein bacteriorhodopsin (BR) under different illumination conditions by X-ray scattering. The light-active protein is considered as an active constituent which drives the system out of equilibrium and is predicted to change the collective fluctuation properties of the membranes. Using X-ray reflectivity, X-ray non-specular (diffuse) scattering, and grazing incidence scattering, we find no detectable change in the scattering curves when changing the illumination condition. In particular the intermembrane spacing d remains constant, after eliminating hydration-related artifacts by design of a suitable sample environment. The absence of any observable non-equilibrium effects in the experimental window is discussed in view of the relevant parameters and recent theories.

Single molecule techniques for the study of membrane proteins

Single molecule techniques promise novel information about the properties and behavior of individual particles, thus enabling access to molecular heterogeneities in biological systems. Their recent developments to accommodate membrane studies have significantly deepened the understanding of membrane proteins. In this short review, we will describe the basics of the three most common single-molecule techniques used on membrane proteins: fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, single particle tracking, and atomic force microscopy. We will discuss the most relevant findings made during the recent years and their contribution to the membrane protein field.

Flippase activity detected with unlabeled lipids by shape changes of giant unilamellar vesicles

Transbilayer movement of phospholipids in biological membranes is mediated by energy-dependent and energy-independent flippases. Available methods for detection of flippase mediated transversal flip-flop are essentially based on spin-labeled or fluorescent lipid analogues. Here we demonstrate that shape change of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) can be used as a new tool to study the occurrence and time scale of flippase-mediated transbilayer movement of unlabeled phospholipids. Insertion of lipids into the external leaflet created an area difference between the two leaflets that caused the formation of a bud-like structure. Under conditions of negligible flip-flop, the bud was stable. Upon reconstitution of the energy-independent flippase activity of the yeast endoplasmic reticulum into GUVs, the initial bud formation was reversible, and the shapes were recovered. This can be ascribed to a rapid flip-flop leading to relaxation of the monolayer area difference. Theoretical analysis of kinetics of shape changes provides self-consistent determination of the flip-flop rate and further kinetic parameters. Based on that analysis, the half-time of phospholipid flip-flop in the presence of endoplasmic reticulum proteins was found to be on the order of few minutes. In contrast, GUVs reconstituted with influenza virus protein formed stable buds. The results argue for the presence of specific membrane proteins mediating rapid flip-flop.

Direct reconstitution of plasma membrane lipids and proteins in nanotube-vesicle networks

We demonstrate here that nanotube-vesicle networks can be constructed directly from plasma membranes of cultured cells. We used a combination of dithiothreitol (DTT) and formaldehyde to produce micron-sized plasma membrane vesicles that were subsequently shaped into networks using micromanipulation methods previously used on purely synthetic systems. Only a single cell is required to derive material sufficient to build a small network. This protocol covers the advantages of reconstitution in vesicles, such as full control over the solution environment, while keeping the proteins in their original surroundings with the proper orientation. Furthermore, control of membrane protein and lipid content in the networks is achievable by employing different cell types, for example, by overexpression of a desired protein or the use of specialized cell-types as sources for rare proteins and lipids. In general, the method provides simple accessibility for functional studies of plasma membrane constituents. Specifically, it provides a direct means to functionalize nanotube-vesicle networks with desired proteins and lipids for studies of transport activity both across membranes (protein-mediated) and across nanotubes (diffusion), and substrate conversion down to the single-molecule limit. Nanotube-vesicle networks can adopt different geometries and topologies and undergo shape changes at will, providing a flexible system for changing the physical and chemical environment around, for example, a membrane protein. Furthermore, the method offers unique possibilities for extracting membrane and protein material for nanotechnological sensor and analytical devices based on lipid membrane networks.

To see or not to see: Lateral organization of biological membranes and fluorescence microscopy

In the last few years several experimental strategies based on epi-, confocal and two photon excitation fluorescence microscopy techniques have been employed to study the lateral structure of membranes using giant vesicles as model systems. This review article discusses the methodological aspects of the aforementioned experimental approaches, particularly stressing the information obtained by the use of UV excited fluorescent probes using two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the advantages of utilizing visual information, to correlate the lateral structure of compositionally simple membranes with complex situations, i.e., biological membranes, will be addressed.

Lateral organization of a membrane protein in a supported binary lipid domain: direct observation of the organization of bacterial light-harvesting complex 2 by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy

A unique method is described for directly observing the lateral organization of a membrane protein (bacterial light-harvesting complex LH2) in a supported lipid bilayer using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. The supported lipid bilayer consisted of anionic 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1'-glycerol)] (DOPG) and 1,2-distearoly-sn-3-[phospho-rac-(1'-glycerol)] (DSPG) and was formed through the rupture of a giant vesicle on a positively charged coverslip. TIRF microscopy revealed that the bilayer was composed of phase-separated domains. When a suspension of cationic phospholipid (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine: EDOPC) vesicles (approximately 400 nm in diameter), containing LH2 complexes (EDOPC/LH2 = 1000/1), was put into contact with the supported lipid bilayer, the cationic vesicles immediately began to fuse and did so specifically with the fluid phase (DOPG-rich domain) of the supported bilayer. Fluorescence from the incorporated LH2 complexes gradually (over approximately 20 min) spread from the domain boundary into the gel domain (DSPG-rich domain). Similar diffusion into the domain-structured supported lipid membrane was observed when the fluorescent lipid (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-lissamine-rhodamine B sulfonyl: N-Rh-DOPE) was incorporated into the vesicles instead of LH2. These results indicate that vesicles containing LH2 and lipids preferentially fuse with the fluid domain, after which they laterally diffuse into the gel domain. This report describes for first time the lateral organization of a membrane protein, LH2, via vesicle fusion and subsequent lateral diffusion of the LH2 from the fluid to the gel domains in the supported lipid bilayer. The biological implications and applications of the present study are briefly discussed.

Lateral mobility of proteins in liquid membranes revisited

The biological function of transmembrane proteins is closely related to their insertion, which has most often been studied through their lateral mobility. For >30 years, it has been thought that hardly any information on the size of the diffusing object can be extracted from such experiments. Indeed, the hydrodynamic model developed by Saffman and Delbrück predicts a weak, logarithmic dependence of the diffusion coefficient D with the radius R of the protein. Despite widespread use, its validity has never been thoroughly investigated. To check this model, we measured the diffusion coefficients of various peptides and transmembrane proteins, incorporated into giant unilamellar vesicles of 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SOPC) or in model bilayers of tunable thickness. We show in this work that, for several integral proteins spanning a large range of sizes, the diffusion coefficient is strongly linked to the protein dimensions. A heuristic model results in a Stokes-like expression for D, (D proportional, variant 1/R), which fits literature data as well as ours. Diffusion measurement is then a fast and fruitful method; it allows determining the oligomerization degree of proteins or studying lipid-protein and protein-protein interactions within bilayers.

Giant liposomes in physiological buffer using electroformation in a flow chamber

We describe a method to obtain giant liposomes (diameter 10-100 microm) in solutions of high ionic strength to perform a membrane-binding assay under physiological conditions. Using electroformation on ITO electrodes, we formed surface-attached giant liposomes in solutions of glycerol in a flow chamber and then introduced solutions of high ionic strength (up to 2 M KCl) into this chamber. The ionic solution exchanged with the isoosmolar glycerol solution inside and outside the liposomes. An initial mismatch in index of refraction between the inside and outside of liposomes allowed for the observation of solution replacement. Ions and small polar molecules exchanged into and out of surface-attached liposomes within minutes. In contrast, liposomes formed in solutions of macromolecules retained molecules larger than 4 kDa, allowing for encapsulation of these molecules for hours or days even if the solution outside the liposomes was exchanged. We propose that solutes entered liposomes through lipid tubules that attach liposomes to the film of lipids on the surface of the ITO electrode. The method presented here makes it straightforward to perform flow-through binding assays on giant liposomes under conditions of physiological ionic strength. We performed a membrane-binding assay for annexin V, a calcium-dependent protein that binds to phosphatidylserine (PS). The binding of annexin V depended on the concentration of PS and decreased as ionic strength increased to physiological levels.

Passive or active fluctuations in membranes containing proteins

We have experimentally investigated the effect of a transmembrane protein, the Ca2+-ATPase, on shape fluctuations of giant vesicles. By using the micropipette method, we have measured a substantial renormalization of the bending modulus due to the presence of proteins in the membrane. Moreover, we have produced the first quantitative measurement of the active force dipole associated with the amplification of the fluctuations when the proteins are activated by adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP).

Functional analysis of detergent-solubilized and membrane-reconstituted ATP-binding cassette transporters

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are vital to any living system and are involved in the translocation of a wide variety of substances, from ions and nutrients to high molecular weight proteins. This chapter describes methods used to purify and membrane reconstitute ABC transporters in a fully functional state. The procedures are largely based on our experience with substrate-binding protein-dependent ABC uptake systems from bacteria, but the approaches should be applicable to multisubunit membrane complexes in general. Also, we present simple methods, based on substrate binding or translocation, to follow the activity of the protein complexes in detergent-solubilized and/or membrane-reconstituted state(s).

Membrane undulations driven by force fluctuations of active proteins

We analyze the height undulations of a membrane due to fluctuations in the force generated by membrane-bound proteins that induce normal motion or bending. We compare our results to the results of experiments on red blood cells and vesicles with incorporated active proton pumps. We treat these proteins as having an intrinsic time scale for the force generation or conformational change, leading to nonthermal membrane fluctuations. We find that the active fluctuations are inversely proportional to the viscosity of the surrounding fluid. This highlights some universal features of active membrane undulations.

Distribution, lateral mobility and function of membrane proteins incorporated into giant unilamellar vesicles

GUVs have been widely used for studies on lipid mobility, membrane dynamics and lipid domain (raft) formation, using single molecule techniques like fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Reports on membrane protein dynamics in these types of model membranes are by far less advanced due to the difficulty of incorporating proteins into GUVs in a functional state. We have used sucrose to prevent four distinct membrane protein(s) (complexes) from inactivating during the dehydration step of the GUV-formation process. The amount of sucrose was optimized such that the proteins retained 100% biological activity, and many proteo-GUVs were obtained. Although GUVs could be formed by hydration of lipid mixtures composed of neutral and anionic lipids, an alternate current electric field was required for GUV formation from neutral lipids. Distribution, lateral mobility, and function of an ATP-binding cassette transport system, an ion-linked transporter, and a mechanosensitive channel in GUVs were determined by confocal imaging, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, patch-clamp measurements, and biochemical techniques. In addition, we show that sucrose slows down the lateral mobility of fluorescent lipid analogs, possibly due to hydrogen-bonding with the lipid headgroups, leading to larger complexes with reduced mobility.