Hemifluorinated maltose-neopentyl glycol (HF-MNG) amphiphiles for membrane protein stabilisation

Trends in the Diversification of the Detergentome

Detergents are amphiphilic molecules that serve as enabling steps for today's world applications. The increasing diversity of the detergentome is key to applications enabled by detergent science. Regardless of the application, the optimal design of detergents is determined empirically, which leads to failed preparations, and raising costs. To facilitate project planning, here we review synthesis strategies that drive the diversification of the detergentome. Synthesis strategies relevant for industrial and academic applications include linear, modular, combinatorial, bio-based, and metric-assisted detergent synthesis. Scopes and limitations of individual synthesis strategies in context with industrial product development and academic research are discussed. Furthermore, when designing detergents, the selection of molecular building blocks, i. e., head, linker, tail, is as important as the employed synthesis strategy. To facilitate the design of safe-to-use and tailor-made detergents, we provide an overview of established head, linker, and tail groups and highlight selected scopes and limitations for applications. It becomes apparent that most recent contributions to the increasing chemical diversity of detergent building blocks originate from the development of detergents for membrane protein studies. The overview of synthesis strategies and molecular blocks will bring us closer to the ability to predictably design and synthesize optimal detergents for challenging future applications.

Catalytically Cleavable Detergent for Membrane Protein Studies

Throughout the in vitro studies of membrane proteins (MPs), proper detergents are essential for the preparation of stable aqueous samples. To date, universally applicable detergents have not yet been reported to accommodate the distinct requirements for the highly diversified MPs and at the different stages of MP manipulation. Detergent exchange often has to be performed. We report herein the catalytically cleavable detergents (CatCDs) that can be efficiently removed to facilitate a complete exchange. To this end, functional groups, like propargyl and allyl, are introduced as branched chains or built in the hydrophobic chain close to the hydrophilic head. The representative CatCDs can be used as usual detergents in the extraction and purification of MPs and later be removed upon the addition of catalytic palladium. Mediated by CatCD-1, reconstitution of a transporter protein MsbA into a series of detergents was achieved. The extension of these designs could facilitate the future optimization of other biophysics studies.

Self-Assembly Behavior and Application of Terphenyl-Cored Trimaltosides for Membrane-Protein Studies: Impact of Detergent Hydrophobic Group Geometry on Protein Stability

Amphipathic agents are widely used in various fields including biomedical sciences. Micelle-forming detergents are particularly useful for in vitro membrane-protein characterization. As many conventional detergents are limited in their ability to stabilize membrane proteins, it is necessary to develop novel detergents to facilitate membrane-protein research. In the current study, we developed novel trimaltoside detergents with an alkyl pendant-bearing terphenyl unit as a hydrophobic group, designated terphenyl-cored maltosides (TPMs). We found that the geometry of the detergent hydrophobic group substantially impacts detergent self-assembly behavior, as well as detergent efficacy for membrane-protein stabilization. TPM-Vs, with a bent terphenyl group, were superior to the linear counterparts (TPM-Ls) at stabilizing multiple membrane proteins. The favorable protein stabilization efficacy of these bent TPMs is likely associated with a binding mode with membrane proteins distinct from conventional detergents and facial amphiphiles. When compared to n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside (DDM), most TPMs were superior or comparable to this gold standard detergent at stabilizing membrane proteins. Notably, TPM-L3 was particularly effective at stabilizing the human β₂ adrenergic receptor (β₂ AR), a G-protein coupled receptor, and its complex with G_s protein. Thus, the current study not only provides novel detergent tools that are useful for membrane-protein study, but also suggests a critical role for detergent hydrophobic group geometry in governing detergent efficacy.

A comparative study of branched and linear mannitol-based amphiphiles on membrane protein stability

The study of membrane proteins is extremely challenging, mainly because of the incompatibility of the hydrophobic surfaces of membrane proteins with an aqueous medium. Detergents are essential agents used to maintain membrane protein stability in non-native environments. However, conventional detergents fail to stabilize the native structures of many membrane proteins. Development of new amphipathic agents with enhanced efficacy for membrane protein stabilization is necessary to address this important problem. We have designed and synthesized linear and branched mannitol-based amphiphiles (MNAs), and comparative studies showed that most of the branched MNAs had advantages over the linear agents in terms of membrane protein stability. In addition, a couple of the new MNAs displayed favorable behaviors compared to n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside and the previously developed MNAs in maintaining the native protein structures, indicating potential utility of these new agents in membrane protein study.

Successful amphiphiles as the key to crystallization of membrane proteins: Bridging theory and practice

BACKGROUND

Membrane proteins constitute a major group of proteins and are of great significance as pharmaceutical targets, but underrepresented in the Protein Data Bank. Particular reasons are their low expression yields and the constant need for cautious and diligent handling in a sufficiently stable hydrophobic environment substituting for the native membrane. When it comes to protein crystallization, such an environment is often established by detergents.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

In this review, 475 unique membrane protein X-ray structures from the online data bank "Membrane proteins of known 3D structure" are presented with a focus on the detergents essential for protein crystallization. By systematic analysis of the most successful compounds, including current trends in amphiphile development, we provide general insights for selection and design of detergents for membrane protein crystallization.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

The most successful detergents share common features, giving rise to favorable protein interactions. The hydrophile-lipophile balance concept of well-balanced hydrophilic and hydrophobic detergent portions is still the key to successful protein crystallization. Although a single detergent compound is sufficient in most cases, sometimes a suitable mixture of detergents has to be found to alter the resulting protein-detergent complex. Protein crystals with a high diffraction limit involve a tight crystal packing generally favored by detergents with shorter alkyl chains.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The formation of well-diffracting membrane protein crystals strongly depends on suitable surfactants, usually screened in numerous crystallization trials. The here-presented findings provide basic criteria for the assessment of surfactants within the vast space of potential crystallization conditions for membrane proteins.

New penta-saccharide-bearing tripod amphiphiles for membrane protein structure studies

Integral membrane proteins either alone or as complexes carry out a range of key cellular functions. Detergents are indispensable tools in the isolation of membrane proteins from biological membranes for downstream studies. Although a large number of techniques and tools, including a wide variety of detergents, are available, purification and structural characterization of many membrane proteins remain challenging. In the current study, a new class of tripod amphiphiles bearing two different penta-saccharide head groups, designated TPSs, were developed and evaluated for their ability to extract and stabilize a range of diverse membrane proteins. Variations in the structures of the detergent head and tail groups allowed us to prepare three sets of the novel agents with distinctive structures. Some TPSs (TPS-A8 and TPS-E7) were efficient at extracting two proteins in a functional state while others (TPS-E8 and TPS-E10L) conferred marked stability to all membrane proteins (and membrane protein complexes) tested here compared to a conventional detergent. Use of TPS-E10L led to clear visualization of a receptor-G_s complex using electron microscopy, indicating profound potential in membrane protein research.

An Engineered Lithocholate-Based Facial Amphiphile Stabilizes Membrane Proteins: Assessing the Impact of Detergent Customizability on Protein Stability

Amphiphiles are critical tools for the structural and functional study of membrane proteins. Membrane proteins encapsulated by conventional head-to-tail detergents tend to undergo structural degradation, necessitating the development of structurally novel agents with improved efficacy. In recent years, facial amphiphiles have yielded encouraging results in terms of membrane protein stability. Herein, we report a new facial detergent (i.e., LFA-C4) that confers greater stability to tested membrane proteins than the bola form analogue. Owing to the increased facial property and the adaptability of the detergent micelles in complex with different membrane proteins, LFA-C4 yields increased stability compared to n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside (DDM). Thus, this study not only describes a novel maltoside detergent with enhanced protein-stabilizing properties, but also shows that the customizable nature of a detergent plays an important role in the stabilization of membrane proteins. Owing to both synthetic convenience and enhanced stabilization efficacy for a range of membrane proteins, the new agent has major potential in membrane protein research.

Dendronic trimaltoside amphiphiles (DTMs) for membrane protein study

A novel amphiphile with a dendronic hydrophobic group (DTM-A6) was markedly effective at stabilizing and visualizing a GPCR-G_s complex.

The critical contribution of membrane proteins in normal cellular function makes their detailed structure and functional analysis essential. Detergents, amphipathic agents with the ability to maintain membrane proteins in a soluble state in aqueous solution, have key roles in membrane protein manipulation. Structural and functional stability is a prerequisite for biophysical characterization. However, many conventional detergents are limited in their ability to stabilize membrane proteins, making development of novel detergents for membrane protein manipulation an important research area. The architecture of a detergent hydrophobic group, that directly interacts with the hydrophobic segment of membrane proteins, is a key factor in dictating their efficacy for both membrane protein solubilization and stabilization. In the current study, we developed two sets of maltoside-based detergents with four alkyl chains by introducing dendronic hydrophobic groups connected to a trimaltoside head group, designated dendronic trimaltosides (DTMs). Representative DTMs conferred enhanced stabilization to multiple membrane proteins compared to the benchmark conventional detergent, DDM. One DTM (i.e., DTM-A6) clearly outperformed DDM in stabilizing human β₂ adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) and its complex with G_s protein. A further evaluation of this DTM led to a clear visualization of β₂AR-G_s complex via electron microscopic analysis. Thus, the current study not only provides novel detergent tools useful for membrane protein study, but also suggests that the dendronic architecture has a role in governing detergent efficacy for membrane protein stabilization.

Conformationally Preorganized Diastereomeric Norbornane-Based Maltosides for Membrane Protein Study: Implications of Detergent Kink for Micellar Properties

Detergents are essential tools for functional and structural studies of membrane proteins. However, conventional detergents are limited in their scope and utility, particularly for eukaryotic membrane proteins. Thus, there are major efforts to develop new amphipathic agents with enhanced properties. Here, a novel class of diastereomeric agents with a preorganized conformation, designated norbornane-based maltosides (NBMs), were prepared and evaluated for their ability to solubilize and stabilize membrane proteins. Representative NBMs displayed enhanced behaviors compared to n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside (DDM) for all membrane proteins tested. Efficacy of the individual NBMs varied depending on the overall detergent shape and alkyl chain length. Specifically, NBMs with no kink in the lipophilic region conferred greater stability to the proteins than NBMs with a kink. In addition, long alkyl chain NBMs were generally better at stabilizing membrane proteins than short alkyl chain agents. Furthermore, use of one well-behaving NBM enabled us to attain a marked stabilization and clear visualization of a challenging membrane protein complex using electron microscopy. Thus, this study not only describes novel maltoside detergents with enhanced protein-stabilizing properties but also suggests that overall detergent geometry has an important role in determining membrane protein stability. Notably, this is the first systematic study on the effect of detergent kinking on micellar properties and associated membrane protein stability.

Mesitylene-Cored Glucoside Amphiphiles (MGAs) for Membrane Protein Studies: Importance of Alkyl Chain Density in Detergent Efficacy

Detergents serve as useful tools for membrane protein structural and functional studies. Their amphipathic nature allows detergents to associate with the hydrophobic regions of membrane proteins whilst maintaining the proteins in aqueous solution. However, widely used conventional detergents are limited in their ability to maintain the structural integrity of membrane proteins and thus there are major efforts underway to develop novel agents with improved properties. We prepared mesitylene-cored glucoside amphiphiles (MGAs) with three alkyl chains and compared these agents with previously developed xylene-linked maltoside agents (XMAs) with two alkyl chains and a conventional detergent (DDM). When these agents were evaluated for four membrane proteins including a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), some agents such as MGA-C13 and MGA-C14 resulted in markedly enhanced stability of membrane proteins compared to both DDM and the XMAs. This favourable behaviour is due likely to the increased hydrophobic density provided by the extra alkyl chain. Thus, this study not only describes new glucoside agents with potential for membrane protein research, but also introduces a new detergent design principle for future development.

Isomeric Detergent Comparison for Membrane Protein Stability: Importance of Inter-Alkyl-Chain Distance and Alkyl Chain Length

Membrane proteins encapsulated by detergent micelles are widely used for structural study. Because of their amphipathic property, detergents have the ability to maintain protein solubility and stability in an aqueous medium. However, conventional detergents have serious limitations in their scope and utility, particularly for eukaryotic membrane proteins and membrane protein complexes. Thus, a number of new agents have been devised; some have made significant contributions to membrane protein structural studies. However, few detergent design principles are available. In this study, we prepared meta and ortho isomers of the previously reported para-substituted xylene-linked maltoside amphiphiles (XMAs), along with alkyl chain-length variation. The isomeric XMAs were assessed with three membrane proteins, and the meta isomer with a C₁₂ alkyl chain was most effective at maintaining solubility/stability of the membrane proteins. We propose that interplay between the hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) and alkyl chain length is of central importance for high detergent efficacy. In addition, differences in inter-alkyl-chain distance between the isomers influence the ability of the detergents to stabilise membrane proteins.

Tandem neopentyl glycol maltosides (TNMs) for membrane protein stabilisation

A novel class of detergents, designated tandem neopentyl glycol maltosides (TNMs), were evaluated with four target membrane proteins. The best detergent varied depending on the target, but TNM-C12L and TNM-C11S were notable for their ability to confer increased membrane protein stability compared to DDM. These agents have potential for use in membrane protein research.

Accessible Mannitol-Based Amphiphiles (MNAs) for Membrane Protein Solubilisation and Stabilisation

Integral membrane proteins are amphipathic molecules crucial for all cellular life. The structural study of these macromolecules starts with protein extraction from the native membranes, followed by purification and crystallisation. Detergents are essential tools for these processes, but detergent-solubilised membrane proteins often denature and aggregate, resulting in loss of both structure and function. In this study, a novel class of agents, designated mannitol-based amphiphiles (MNAs), were prepared and characterised for their ability to solubilise and stabilise membrane proteins. Some of MNAs conferred enhanced stability to four membrane proteins including a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2 AR), compared to both n-dodecyl-d-maltoside (DDM) and the other MNAs. These agents were also better than DDM for electron microscopy analysis of the β2 AR. The ease of preparation together with the enhanced membrane protein stabilisation efficacy demonstrates the value of these agents for future membrane protein research.

A Class of Rigid Linker-bearing Glucosides for Membrane Protein Structural Study

Novel glycoside amphiphile (NDT-C11) displays favorable behavior in maintaining both protein stability and conformational flexibility compared to DDM and MNG-3.

Membrane proteins are amphipathic bio-macromolecules incompatible with the polar environments of aqueous media. Conventional detergents encapsulate the hydrophobic surfaces of membrane proteins allowing them to exist in aqueous solution. Membrane proteins stabilized by detergent micelles are used for structural and functional analysis. Despite the availability of a large number of detergents, only a few agents are sufficiently effective at maintaining the integrity of membrane proteins to allow successful crystallization. In the present study, we describe a novel class of synthetic amphiphiles with a branched tail group and a triglucoside head group. These head and tail groups were connected via an amide or ether linkage by using a tris(hydroxylmethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) or neopentyl glycol (NPG) linker to produce TRIS-derived triglucosides (TDTs) and NPG-derived triglucosides (NDTs), respectively. Members of this class conferred enhanced stability on target membrane proteins compared to conventional detergents. Because of straightforward synthesis of the novel agents and their favourable effects on a range of membrane proteins, these agents should be of wide applicability to membrane protein science.

New ganglio-tripod amphiphiles (TPAs) for membrane protein solubilization and stabilization: implications for detergent structure-property relationships

Detergents are widely used for membrane protein research; however, membrane proteins encapsulated in micelles formed by conventional detergents tend to undergo structural degradation, necessitating the development of new agents with enhanced efficacy. Here we prepared several hydrophobic variants of ganglio-tripod amphiphiles (TPAs) derived from previously reported TPAs and evaluated for a multi-subunit, pigment protein superassembly. In this study, TPA-16 was found to be most efficient in protein solubilization while TPA-15 proved most favourable in long-term protein stability. The current study combined with previous TPA studies enabled us to elaborate on a few detergent structure-property relationships that could provide useful guidelines for novel amphiphile design.

Novel Xylene-Linked Maltoside Amphiphiles (XMAs) for Membrane Protein Stabilisation

Membrane proteins are key functional players in biological systems. These biomacromolecules contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions and thus amphipathic molecules are necessary to extract membrane proteins from their native lipid environments and stabilise them in aqueous solutions. Conventional detergents are commonly used for membrane protein manipulation, but membrane proteins surrounded by these agents often undergo denaturation and aggregation. In this study, a novel class of maltoside-bearing amphiphiles, with a xylene linker in the central region, designated xylene-linked maltoside amphiphiles (XMAs) was developed. When these novel agents were evaluated with a number of membrane proteins, it was found that XMA-4 and XMA-5 have particularly favourable efficacy with respect to membrane protein stabilisation, indicating that these agents hold significant potential for membrane protein structural study.

Adamantane-based amphiphiles (ADAs) for membrane protein study: importance of a detergent hydrophobic group in membrane protein solubilisation

We prepared adamantane-containing amphiphiles and evaluated them using a large membrane protein complex in terms of protein solubilisation and stabilization efficacy. These agents were superior to conventional detergents, especially in terms of the membrane protein solubilisation efficiency, implying a new detergent structure-property relationship.

Deoxycholate-Based Glycosides (DCGs) for Membrane Protein Stabilisation

Detergents are an absolute requirement for studying the structure of membrane proteins. However, many conventional detergents fail to stabilise denaturation-sensitive membrane proteins, such as eukaryotic proteins and membrane protein complexes. New amphipathic agents with enhanced efficacy in stabilising membrane proteins will be helpful in overcoming the barriers to studying membrane protein structures. We have prepared a number of deoxycholate-based amphiphiles with carbohydrate head groups, designated deoxycholate-based glycosides (DCGs). These DCGs are the hydrophilic variants of previously reported deoxycholate-based N-oxides (DCAOs). Membrane proteins in these agents, particularly the branched diglucoside-bearing amphiphiles DCG-1 and DCG-2, displayed favourable behaviour compared to previously reported parent compounds (DCAOs) and conventional detergents (LDAO and DDM). Given their excellent properties, these agents should have significant potential for membrane protein studies.

Maltose neopentyl glycol-3 (MNG-3) analogues for membrane protein study

Detergents are typically used to both extract membrane proteins (MPs) from the lipid bilayers and maintain them in solution. However, MPs encapsulated in detergent micelles are often prone to denaturation and aggregation. Thus, the development of novel agents with enhanced stabilization characteristics is necessary to advance MP research. Maltose neopentyl glycol-3 (MNG-3) has contributed to >10 crystal structures including G-protein coupled receptors. Here, we prepared MNG-3 analogues and characterised their properties using selected MPs. Most MNGs were superior to a conventional detergent, n-dodecyl-β-D-maltopyranoside (DDM), in terms of membrane protein stabilization efficacy. Interestingly, optimal stabilization was achieved with different MNG-3 analogues depending on the target MP. The origin for such detergent specificity could be explained by a novel concept: compatibility between detergent hydrophobicity and MP tendency to denature and aggregate. This set of MNGs represents viable alternatives to currently available detergents for handling MPs, and can be also used as tools to estimate MP sensitivity to denaturation and aggregation.

Membrane proteins, detergents and crystals: what is the state of the art?

At the time when the first membrane-protein crystal structure was determined, crystallization of these molecules was widely perceived as extremely arduous. Today, that perception has changed drastically, and the process is regarded as routine (or nearly so). On the occasion of the International Year of Crystallography 2014, this review presents a snapshot of the current state of the art, with an emphasis on the role of detergents in this process. A survey of membrane-protein crystal structures published since 2012 reveals that the direct crystallization of protein-detergent complexes remains the dominant methodology; in addition, lipidic mesophases have proven immensely useful, particularly in specific niches, and bicelles, while perhaps undervalued, have provided important contributions as well. Evolving trends include the addition of lipids to protein-detergent complexes and the gradual incorporation of new detergents into the standard repertoire. Stability has emerged as a critical parameter controlling how a membrane protein behaves in the presence of detergent, and efforts to enhance stability are discussed. Finally, although discovery-based screening approaches continue to dwarf mechanistic efforts to unravel crystallization, recent technical advances offer hope that future experiments might incorporate the rational manipulation of crystallization behaviors.

Hydrophobic variations of N-oxide amphiphiles for membrane protein manipulation: importance of non-hydrocarbon groups in the hydrophobic portion

Amphipathic agents called detergents serve as membrane-mimetic systems to maintain the native structures of membrane proteins during their manipulation. However, membrane proteins solubilized in conventional detergents tend to undergo denaturation and aggregation, necessitating the development of novel amphipathic agents with enhanced properties. Here we describe several new amphiphiles that contain an N-oxide group as the hydrophilic portion. The new amphiphiles have been evaluated for the ability to solubilize and stabilize a fragile multi-subunit assembly from biological membranes. We found that cholate-based agents were promising in supporting retention of the native protein quaternary structure, while deoxycholate-based amphiphiles were highly efficient in extracting/solubilizing the intact superassembly from the native membrane. Monitoring superassembly solubilization and stabilization as a function of variation in amphiphile structure led us to propose that a non-hydrocarbon moiety such as an amide, ether, or a hydroxy group present in the lipophilic regions can manifest distinctive effects in the context of membrane protein manipulation.

Improved glucose-neopentyl glycol (GNG) amphiphiles for membrane protein solubilization and stabilization

Membrane proteins are inherently amphipathic and undergo dynamic conformational changes for proper function within native membranes. Maintaining the functional structures of these biomacromolecules in aqueous media is necessary for structural studies but difficult to achieve with currently available tools, thus necessitating the development of novel agents with favorable properties. This study introduces several new glucose-neopentyl glycol (GNG) amphiphiles and reveals some agents that display favorable behaviors for the solubilization and stabilization of a large, multi-subunit membrane protein assembly. Furthermore, a detergent structure-property relationship that could serve as a useful guideline for the design of novel amphiphiles is discussed.

Novel tripod amphiphiles for membrane protein analysis

Integral membrane proteins play central roles in controlling the flow of information and molecules across membranes. Our understanding of membrane protein structures and functions, however, is seriously limited, mainly due to difficulties in handling and analysing these proteins in aqueous solution. The use of a detergent or other amphipathic agents is required to overcome the intrinsic incompatibility between the large lipophilic surfaces displayed by the membrane proteins in their native forms and the polar solvent molecules. Here, we introduce new tripod amphiphiles displaying favourable behaviours toward several membrane protein systems, leading to an enhanced protein solubilisation and stabilisation compared to both conventional detergents and previously described tripod amphiphiles.

Hydrophobic variants of ganglio-tripod amphiphiles for membrane protein manipulation

Membrane proteins operate in unique cellular environments. Once removed from their native context for the purification that is required for most types of structural or functional analyses, they are prone to denature if not properly stabilized by membrane mimetics. Detergent micelles have prominently been used to stabilize membrane proteins in aqueous environments as their amphipathic nature allows for shielding of the hydrophobic surfaces of these bio-macromolecules while supporting solubility and monodispersity in water. This study expands the utility of branched diglucoside-bearing tripod agents, designated ganglio-tripod amphiphiles, with introduction of key variations in their hydrophobic sections and shows how these latter elements can be fine-tuned to maximize membrane protein solubilization while preserving characteristics of these molecules that afford stabilization of rather fragile assemblies. Their efficacy rivals benchmark detergents heavily used today, such as n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside.

Assessing the conformational changes of pb5, the receptor-binding protein of phage T5, upon binding to its Escherichia coli receptor FhuA

Within tailed bacteriophages, interaction of the receptor-binding protein (RBP) with the target cell triggers viral DNA ejection into the host cytoplasm. In the case of phage T5, the RBP pb5 and the receptor FhuA, an outer membrane protein of Escherichia coli, have been identified. Here, we use small angle neutron scattering and electron microscopy to investigate the FhuA-pb5 complex. Specific deuteration of one of the partners allows the complete masking in small angle neutron scattering of the surfactant and unlabeled proteins when the complex is solubilized in the fluorinated surfactant F6-DigluM. Thus, individual structures within a membrane protein complex can be described. The solution structure of FhuA agrees with its crystal structure; that of pb5 shows an elongated shape. Neither displays significant conformational changes upon interaction. The mechanism of signal transduction within phage T5 thus appears different from that of phages binding cell wall saccharides, for which structural information is available.