1
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Wang B, Tieleman DP. The structure, self-assembly and dynamics of lipid nanodiscs revealed by computational approaches. Biophys Chem 2024; 309:107231. [PMID: 38569455 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Nanodisc technology is increasingly being used in structural, biochemical and biophysical studies of membrane proteins. The computational approaches have revealed many important features of nanodisc assembly, structures and dynamics. Therefore, we reviewed the application of computational approaches, especially molecular modeling and molecular dyncamics (MD) simulations, to characterize nanodiscs, including the structural models, assembly and disassembly, protocols for modeling, structural properties and dynamics, and protein-lipid interactions in nanodiscs. More amazing computational studies about nanodiscs are looked forward to in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wang
- Centre for Advanced Materials Research, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China.
| | - D Peter Tieleman
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada.
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2
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de Grip WJ, Ganapathy S. Rhodopsins: An Excitingly Versatile Protein Species for Research, Development and Creative Engineering. Front Chem 2022; 10:879609. [PMID: 35815212 PMCID: PMC9257189 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.879609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The first member and eponym of the rhodopsin family was identified in the 1930s as the visual pigment of the rod photoreceptor cell in the animal retina. It was found to be a membrane protein, owing its photosensitivity to the presence of a covalently bound chromophoric group. This group, derived from vitamin A, was appropriately dubbed retinal. In the 1970s a microbial counterpart of this species was discovered in an archaeon, being a membrane protein also harbouring retinal as a chromophore, and named bacteriorhodopsin. Since their discovery a photogenic panorama unfolded, where up to date new members and subspecies with a variety of light-driven functionality have been added to this family. The animal branch, meanwhile categorized as type-2 rhodopsins, turned out to form a large subclass in the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and are essential to multiple elements of light-dependent animal sensory physiology. The microbial branch, the type-1 rhodopsins, largely function as light-driven ion pumps or channels, but also contain sensory-active and enzyme-sustaining subspecies. In this review we will follow the development of this exciting membrane protein panorama in a representative number of highlights and will present a prospect of their extraordinary future potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem J. de Grip
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Organic Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Srividya Ganapathy
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
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3
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Jones AJY, Gabriel F, Tandale A, Nietlispach D. Structure and Dynamics of GPCRs in Lipid Membranes: Physical Principles and Experimental Approaches. Molecules 2020; 25:E4729. [PMID: 33076366 PMCID: PMC7587580 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the vast amount of information generated through structural and biophysical studies of GPCRs has provided unprecedented mechanistic insight into the complex signalling behaviour of these receptors. With this recent information surge, it has also become increasingly apparent that in order to reproduce the various effects that lipids and membranes exert on the biological function for these allosteric receptors, in vitro studies of GPCRs need to be conducted under conditions that adequately approximate the native lipid bilayer environment. In the first part of this review, we assess some of the more general effects that a membrane environment exerts on lipid bilayer-embedded proteins such as GPCRs. This is then followed by the consideration of more specific effects, including stoichiometric interactions with specific lipid subtypes. In the final section, we survey a range of different membrane mimetics that are currently used for in vitro studies, with a focus on NMR applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel Nietlispach
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK; (A.J.Y.J.); (F.G.); (A.T.)
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4
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Danmaliki GI, Hwang PM. Solution NMR spectroscopy of membrane proteins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183356. [PMID: 32416193 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) perform unique and indispensable functions in the cell, making them attractive targets for fundamental research and drug discovery. Developments in protein production, isotope labeling, sample preparation, and pulse sequences have extended the utility of solution NMR spectroscopy for studying IMPs with multiple transmembrane segments. Here we review some recent applications of solution NMR for studying structure, dynamics, and interactions of polytopic IMPs, emphasizing strategies used to overcome common technical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaddafi I Danmaliki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Peter M Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada.
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5
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Chill JH, Qasim A, Sher I, Gross R. NMR Perspectives of the KcsA Potassium Channel in the Membrane Environment. Isr J Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201900107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan H. Chill
- Department of ChemistryBar Ilan University Ramat Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Arwa Qasim
- Department of ChemistryBar Ilan University Ramat Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Inbal Sher
- Department of ChemistryBar Ilan University Ramat Gan 52900 Israel
| | - Renana Gross
- Department of ChemistryBar Ilan University Ramat Gan 52900 Israel
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6
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Chow M, Sklepari M, Frigerio L, Dixon AM. Bacterial expression, purification and biophysical characterization of the smallest plant reticulon isoform, RTNLB13. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 152:31-39. [PMID: 29969670 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Reticulons are a large family of integral membrane proteins that are ubiquitous in eukaryotes and play a key role in functional remodelling of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The reticulon family is especially large in plants, with the Arabidopsis thaliana genome containing twenty-one isoforms. Reticulons vary in length but all contain a conserved C-terminal reticulon homology domain (RHD) that associates with membranes. An understanding of the structure and membrane interactions of RHDs is key to unlocking their mechanism of function, however no three-dimensional structure has been solved. We believe that this is, in part, due to difficulties in obtaining reticulon proteins in yields sufficient for structural study. To address this, we report here the first bacterial overexpression, purification, and biophysical investigation of a reticulon protein from plants, the RTNLB13 protein from A. thaliana. RTNLB13 is the smallest plant reticulon and is made up of a single RHD. We used circular dichroism, SDS-PAGE and analytical ultracentrifugation to reveal that RTNLB13 is 45% α-helical in a number of detergent environments, monomeric at low concentrations, and capable of self-association at higher concentrations. We used solution-state NMR to screen the effect of detergent type on the fold of isotopically-enriched RTNLB13, and found that ∼60% of the expected protein peaks were broadened due to slow dynamics. This broadening points toward a large network of protein-membrane interactions throughout the sequence. We have interpreted our results in light of current literature and suggest a preliminary description of RTNLB13 structure and topology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Chow
- MOAC Doctoral Training Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Meropi Sklepari
- Warwick Centre for Analytical Science, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Lorenzo Frigerio
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ann M Dixon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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7
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Serra-Batiste M, Tolchard J, Giusti F, Zoonens M, Carulla N. Stabilization of a Membrane-Associated Amyloid-β Oligomer for Its Validation in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:38. [PMID: 29725595 PMCID: PMC5917194 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently reported on the preparation of a membrane-associated β-barrel Pore-Forming Aβ42 Oligomer (βPFOAβ42). It corresponds to a stable and homogeneous Aβ42 oligomer that inserts into lipid bilayers as a well-defined pore and adopts a specific structure with characteristics of a β-barrel arrangement. As a follow-up of this work, we aim to establish βPFOAβ42's relevance in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, βPFOAβ42 is formed under dodecyl phosphocholine (DPC) micelle conditions-intended to mimic the hydrophobic environment of membranes-which are dynamic. Consequently, dilution of the βPFOAβ42/DPC complex in a detergent-free buffer leads to dispersion of the DPC molecules from the oligomer surface, leaving the oligomer without the hydrophobic micelle belt that stabilizes it. Since dilution is required for any biological test, transfer of βPFOAβ42 from DPC micelles into another hydrophobic biomimetic membrane environment, that remains associated with βPFOAβ42 even under high dilution conditions, is a requisite for the validation of βPFOAβ42 in AD. Here we describe conditions for exchanging DPC micelles with amphipols (APols), which are amphipathic polymers designed to stabilize membrane proteins in aqueous solutions. APols bind in an irreversible but non-covalent manner to the hydrophobic surface of membrane proteins preserving their structure even under extreme dilution conditions. We tested three types of APols with distinct physical-chemical properties and found that the βPFOAβ42/DPC complex can only be trapped in non-ionic APols (NAPols). The characterization of the resulting βPFOAβ42/NAPol complex by biochemical tools and structural biology techniques allowed us to establish that the oligomer structure is maintained even under high dilution. Based on these findings, this work constitutes a first step towards the in vivo validation of βPFOAβ42 in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Serra-Batiste
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - James Tolchard
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,CBMN (UMR 5248), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Fabrice Giusti
- Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Moléculaire des Protéines Membranaires (UMR 7099), Université Paris-7 - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Manuela Zoonens
- Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Moléculaire des Protéines Membranaires (UMR 7099), Université Paris-7 - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Natàlia Carulla
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,CBMN (UMR 5248), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - IPB, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
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8
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Le Bon C, Marconnet A, Masscheleyn S, Popot JL, Zoonens M. Folding and stabilizing membrane proteins in amphipol A8-35. Methods 2018; 147:95-105. [PMID: 29678587 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins (MPs) are important pharmacological targets because of their involvement in many essential cellular processes whose dysfunction can lead to a large variety of diseases. A detailed knowledge of the structure of MPs and the molecular mechanisms of their activity is essential to the design of new therapeutic agents. However, studying MPs in vitro is challenging, because it generally implies their overexpression under a functional form, followed by their extraction from membranes and purification. Targeting an overexpressed MP to a membrane is often toxic and expression yields tend to be limited. One alternative is the formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) in the cytosol of the cell, from which MPs need then to be folded to their native conformation before structural and functional analysis can be contemplated. Folding MPs targeted to IBs is a difficult task. Specially designed amphipathic polymers called 'amphipols' (APols), which have been initially developed with the view of improving the stability of MPs in aqueous solutions compared to detergents, can be used to fold both α-helical and β-barrel MPs. APols represent an interesting novel amphipathic medium, in which high folding yields can be achieved. In this review, the properties of APol A8-35 and of the complexes they form with MPs are summarized. An overview of the most important studies reported so far using A8-35 to fold MPs is presented. Finally, from a practical point of view, a detailed description of the folding and trapping methods is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Le Bon
- CNRS/Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Anaïs Marconnet
- CNRS/Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Masscheleyn
- CNRS/Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Popot
- CNRS/Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Manuela Zoonens
- CNRS/Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France.
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9
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Liang B, Tamm LK. Solution NMR of SNAREs, complexin and α-synuclein in association with membrane-mimetics. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2018; 105:41-53. [PMID: 29548366 PMCID: PMC5863748 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
SNARE-mediated membrane fusion is a ubiquitous process responsible for intracellular vesicle trafficking, including membrane fusion in exocytosis that leads to hormone and neurotransmitter release. The proteins that facilitate this process are highly dynamic and adopt multiple conformations when they interact with other proteins and lipids as they form highly regulated molecular machines that operate on membranes. Solution NMR is an ideal method to capture high-resolution glimpses of the molecular transformations that take place when these proteins come together and work on membranes. Since solution NMR has limitations on the size of proteins and complexes that can be studied, lipid bilayer model membranes cannot be used in these approaches, so the relevant interactions are typically studied in various types of membrane-mimetics that are tractable by solution NMR methods. In this review we therefore first summarize different membrane-mimetic systems that are commonly used or that show promise for solution NMR studies of membrane-interacting proteins. We then summarize recent NMR studies on two SNARE proteins, syntaxin and synaptobrevin, and two related regulatory proteins, complexin and α-synuclein, and their interactions with membrane lipids. These studies provide a structural and dynamical framework for how these proteins might carry out their functions in the vicinity of lipid membranes. The common theme throughout these studies is that membrane interactions have major influences on the structural dynamics of these proteins that cannot be ignored when attempting to explain their functions in contemporary models of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyong Liang
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology and Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
| | - Lukas K Tamm
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology and Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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10
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McLean MA, Gregory MC, Sligar SG. Nanodiscs: A Controlled Bilayer Surface for the Study of Membrane Proteins. Annu Rev Biophys 2018; 47:107-124. [PMID: 29494254 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-070816-033620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The study of membrane proteins and receptors presents many challenges to researchers wishing to perform biophysical measurements to determine the structure, function, and mechanism of action of such components. In most cases, to be fully functional, proteins and receptors require the presence of a native phospholipid bilayer. In addition, many complex multiprotein assemblies involved in cellular communication require an integral membrane protein as well as a membrane surface for assembly and information transfer to soluble partners in a signaling cascade. Incorporation of membrane proteins into Nanodiscs renders the target soluble and provides a native bilayer environment with precisely controlled composition of lipids, cholesterol, and other components. Likewise, Nanodiscs provide a surface of defined area useful in revealing lipid specificity and affinities for the assembly of signaling complexes. In this review, we highlight several biophysical techniques made possible through the use of Nanodiscs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A McLean
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA; , ,
| | - Michael C Gregory
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA; , ,
| | - Stephen G Sligar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA; , ,
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11
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Sim DW, Lu Z, Won HS, Lee SN, Seo MD, Lee BJ, Kim JH. Application of Solution NMR to Structural Studies on α-Helical Integral Membrane Proteins. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22081347. [PMID: 28809779 PMCID: PMC6152068 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22081347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A large portion of proteins in living organisms are membrane proteins which play critical roles in the biology of the cell, from maintenance of the biological membrane integrity to communication of cells with their surroundings. To understand their mechanism of action, structural information is essential. Nevertheless, structure determination of transmembrane proteins is still a challenging area, even though recently the number of deposited structures of membrane proteins in the PDB has rapidly increased thanks to the efforts using X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and solid and solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. Among these technologies, solution NMR is a powerful tool for studying protein-protein, protein-ligand interactions and protein dynamics at a wide range of time scales as well as structure determination of membrane proteins. This review provides general and useful guideline for membrane protein sample preparation and the choice of membrane-mimetic media, which are the key step for successful structural analysis. Furthermore, this review provides an opportunity to look at recent applications of solution NMR to structural studies on α-helical membrane proteins through some success stories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae-Won Sim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungbuk 27478, Korea.
| | - Zhenwei Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37204, USA.
| | - Hyung-Sik Won
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungbuk 27478, Korea.
| | - Seu-Na Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungbuk 27478, Korea.
| | - Min-Duk Seo
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology & College of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea.
| | - Bong-Jin Lee
- The Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
| | - Ji-Hun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Chungbuk, Korea.
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12
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Abstract
To study integral membrane proteins, one has to extract them from the membrane—the step that is typically achieved by the application of detergents. In this mini-review, we summarize the top 10 detergents used for the structural analysis of membrane proteins based on the published results. The aim of this study is to provide the reader with an overview of the main properties of available detergents (critical micelle concentration (CMC) value, micelle size, etc.) and provide an idea of what detergents to may merit further study. Furthermore, we briefly discuss alternative solubilization and stabilization agents, such as polymers.
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13
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Abstract
Membrane proteins play a most important part in metabolism, signaling, cell motility, transport, development, and many other biochemical and biophysical processes which constitute fundamentals of life on the molecular level. Detailed understanding of these processes is necessary for the progress of life sciences and biomedical applications. Nanodiscs provide a new and powerful tool for a broad spectrum of biochemical and biophysical studies of membrane proteins and are commonly acknowledged as an optimal membrane mimetic system that provides control over size, composition, and specific functional modifications on the nanometer scale. In this review we attempted to combine a comprehensive list of various applications of nanodisc technology with systematic analysis of the most attractive features of this system and advantages provided by nanodiscs for structural and mechanistic studies of membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia G Denisov
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Stephen G Sligar
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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14
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Nanodiscs for structural and functional studies of membrane proteins. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2016; 23:481-6. [PMID: 27273631 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins have long presented a challenge to biochemical and functional studies. In the absence of a bilayer environment, individual proteins and critical macromolecular complexes may be insoluble and may display altered or absent activities. Nanodisc technology provides important advantages for the isolation, purification, structural resolution and functional characterization of membrane proteins. In addition, the ability to precisely control the nanodisc composition provides a nanoscale membrane surface for investigating molecular recognition events.
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15
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Tu Y, Peng F, Adawy A, Men Y, Abdelmohsen LKEA, Wilson DA. Mimicking the Cell: Bio-Inspired Functions of Supramolecular Assemblies. Chem Rev 2015; 116:2023-78. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yingfeng Tu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Fei Peng
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alaa Adawy
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yongjun Men
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela A. Wilson
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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16
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Milić D, Veprintsev DB. Large-scale production and protein engineering of G protein-coupled receptors for structural studies. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:66. [PMID: 25873898 PMCID: PMC4379943 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural studies of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) gave insights into molecular mechanisms of their action and contributed significantly to molecular pharmacology. This is primarily due to technical advances in protein engineering, production and crystallization of these important receptor targets. On the other hand, NMR spectroscopy of GPCRs, which can provide information about their dynamics, still remains challenging due to difficulties in preparation of isotopically labeled receptors and their low long-term stabilities. In this review, we discuss methods used for expression and purification of GPCRs for crystallographic and NMR studies. We also summarize protein engineering methods that played a crucial role in obtaining GPCR crystal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Milić
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen Switzerland
| | - Dmitry B Veprintsev
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen Switzerland ; Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich Switzerland
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17
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Folding and stability of integral membrane proteins in amphipols. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 564:327-43. [PMID: 25449655 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Amphipols (APols) are a family of amphipathic polymers designed to keep transmembrane proteins (TMPs) soluble in aqueous solutions in the absence of detergent. APols have proven remarkably efficient at (i) stabilizing TMPs, as compared to detergent solutions, and (ii) folding them from a denatured state to a native, functional one. The underlying physical-chemical mechanisms are discussed.
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18
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Stangl M, Unger S, Keller S, Schneider D. Sequence-specific dimerization of a transmembrane helix in amphipol A8-35. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110970. [PMID: 25347769 PMCID: PMC4210147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As traditional detergents might destabilize or even denature membrane proteins, amphiphilic polymers have moved into the focus of membrane-protein research in recent years. Thus far, Amphipols are the best studied amphiphilic copolymers, having a hydrophilic backbone with short hydrophobic chains. However, since stabilizing as well as destabilizing effects of the Amphipol belt on the structure of membrane proteins have been described, we systematically analyze the impact of the most commonly used Amphipol A8-35 on the structure and stability of a well-defined transmembrane protein model, the glycophorin A transmembrane helix dimer. Amphipols are not able to directly extract proteins from their native membranes, and detergents are typically replaced by Amphipols only after protein extraction from membranes. As Amphipols form mixed micelles with detergents, a better understanding of Amphipol-detergent interactions is required. Therefore, we analyze the interaction of A8-35 with the anionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate and describe the impact of the mixed-micelle-like system on the stability of a transmembrane helix dimer. As A8-35 may highly stabilize and thereby rigidify a transmembrane protein structure, modest destabilization by controlled addition of detergents and formation of mixed micellar systems might be helpful to preserve the function of a membrane protein in Amphipol environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Stangl
- Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Unger
- Molecular Biophysics, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Sandro Keller
- Molecular Biophysics, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Dirk Schneider
- Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Le Bon C, Popot JL, Giusti F. Labeling and functionalizing amphipols for biological applications. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:797-814. [PMID: 24696186 PMCID: PMC4185061 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9655-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Amphipols (APols) are short amphipathic polymers developed as an alternative to detergents for handling membrane proteins (MPs) in aqueous solution. MPs are, as a rule, much more stable following trapping with APols than they are in detergent solutions. The best-characterized APol to date, called A8-35, is a mixture of short-chain sodium polyacrylates randomly derivatized with octylamine and isopropylamine. Its solution properties have been studied in detail, and it has been used extensively for biochemical and biophysical studies of MPs. One of the attractive characteristics of APols is that it is relatively easy to label them, isotopically or otherwise, without affecting their physical-chemical properties. Furthermore, several variously modified APols can be mixed, achieving multiple functionalization of MP/APol complexes in the easiest possible manner. Labeled or tagged APols are being used to study the solution properties of APols, their miscibility, their biodistribution upon injection into living organisms, their association with MPs and the composition, structure and dynamics of MP/APol complexes, examining the exchange of surfactants at the surface of MPs, labeling MPs to follow their distribution in fractionation experiments or to immobilize them, increasing the contrast between APols and solvent or MPs in biophysical experiments, improving NMR spectra, etc. Labeling or functionalization of APols can take various courses, each of which has its specific constraints and advantages regarding both synthesis and purification. The present review offers an overview of the various derivatives of A8-35 and its congeners that have been developed in our laboratory and discusses the pros and cons of various synthetic routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Le Bon
- Laboratoire de Biologie Physico-Chimique des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), CNRS/Université Paris 7, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005, Paris, France
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How Amphipols Embed Membrane Proteins: Global Solvent Accessibility and Interaction with a Flexible Protein Terminus. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:965-70. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9657-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Abstract
Amphipols (APols) are short amphipathic polymers that can substitute for detergents at the transmembrane surface of membrane proteins (MPs) and, thereby, keep them soluble in detergent free aqueous solutions. APol-trapped MPs are, as a rule, more stable biochemically than their detergent-solubilized counterparts. APols have proven useful to produce MPs, most noticeably by assisting their folding from the denatured state obtained after solubilizing MP inclusion bodies in either SDS or urea. They facilitate the handling in aqueous solution of fragile MPs for the purpose of proteomics, structural and functional studies, and therapeutics. Because APols can be chemically labeled or functionalized, and they form very stable complexes with MPs, they can also be used to functionalize those indirectly, which opens onto many novel applications. Following a brief recall of the properties of APols and MP/APol complexes, an update is provided of recent progress in these various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Zoonens
- Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Moléculaire des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-7, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Popot
- Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Moléculaire des Protéines Membranaires, UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-7, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, 75005 Paris, France
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22
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Thermal Fluctuations in Amphipol A8-35 Particles: A Neutron Scattering and Molecular Dynamics Study. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:897-908. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9725-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Perlmutter JD, Popot JL, Sachs JN. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of a Membrane Protein/Amphipol Complex. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:883-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9690-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Functionalized Amphipols: A Versatile Toolbox Suitable for Applications of Membrane Proteins in Synthetic Biology. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:815-26. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9663-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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25
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Solution Behavior and Crystallization of Cytochrome bc
1 in the Presence of Amphipols. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:981-96. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9694-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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26
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Ferrandez Y, Dezi M, Bosco M, Urvoas A, Valerio-Lepiniec M, Le Bon C, Giusti F, Broutin I, Durand G, Polidori A, Popot JL, Picard M, Minard P. Amphipol-mediated screening of molecular orthoses specific for membrane protein targets. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:925-40. [PMID: 25086771 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Specific, tight-binding protein partners are valuable helpers to facilitate membrane protein (MP) crystallization, because they can i) stabilize the protein, ii) reduce its conformational heterogeneity, and iii) increase the polar surface from which well-ordered crystals can grow. The design and production of a new family of synthetic scaffolds (dubbed αReps, for "artificial alpha repeat protein") have been recently described. The stabilization and immobilization of MPs in a functional state are an absolute prerequisite for the screening of binders that recognize specifically their native conformation. We present here a general procedure for the selection of αReps specific of any MP. It relies on the use of biotinylated amphipols, which act as a universal "Velcro" to stabilize, and immobilize MP targets onto streptavidin-coated solid supports, thus doing away with the need to tag the protein itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Ferrandez
- Laboratoire de Modélisation et Ingénierie des Protéines, IBBMC UMR 8619, CNRS/Université Paris Sud, 91405, Orsay, France
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27
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Long-term stability of a vaccine formulated with the amphipol-trapped major outer membrane protein from Chlamydia trachomatis. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:1053-65. [PMID: 24942817 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9693-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is a major bacterial pathogen throughout the world. Although antibiotic therapy can be implemented in the case of early detection, a majority of the infections are asymptomatic, requiring the development of preventive measures. Efforts have focused on the production of a vaccine using the C. trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP). MOMP is purified in its native (n) trimeric form using the zwitterionic detergent Z3-14, but its stability in detergent solutions is limited. Amphipols (APols) are synthetic polymers that can stabilize membrane proteins (MPs) in detergent-free aqueous solutions. Preservation of protein structure and optimization of exposure of the most effective antigenic regions can avoid vaccination with misfolded, poorly protective protein. Previously, we showed that APols maintain nMOMP secondary structure and that nMOMP/APol vaccine formulations elicit better protection than formulations using either recombinant or nMOMP solubilized in Z3-14. To achieve a greater understanding of the structural behavior and stability of nMOMP in APols, we have used several spectroscopic techniques to characterize its secondary structure (circular dichroism), tertiary and quaternary structures (immunochemistry and gel electrophoresis) and aggregation state (light scattering) as a function of temperature and time. We have also recorded NMR spectra of (15)N-labeled nMOMP and find that the exposed loops are detectable in APols but not in detergent. Our analyses show that APols protect nMOMP much better than Z3-14 against denaturation due to continuous heating, repeated freeze/thaw cycles, or extended storage at room temperature. These results indicate that APols can help improve MP-based vaccine formulations.
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Le Bon C, Della Pia EA, Giusti F, Lloret N, Zoonens M, Martinez KL, Popot JL. Synthesis of an oligonucleotide-derivatized amphipol and its use to trap and immobilize membrane proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:e83. [PMID: 24744236 PMCID: PMC4041424 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphipols (APols) are specially designed amphipathic polymers that stabilize membrane proteins (MPs) in aqueous solutions in the absence of detergent. A8-35, a polyacrylate-based APol, has been grafted with an oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN). The synthesis, purification and properties of the resulting 'OligAPol' have been investigated. Grafting was performed by reacting an ODN carrying an amine-terminated arm with the carboxylates of A8-35. The use of OligAPol for trapping MPs and immobilizing them onto solid supports was tested using bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and the transmembrane domain of Escherichia coli outer membrane protein A (tOmpA) as model proteins. BR and OligAPol form water-soluble complexes in which BR remains in its native conformation. Hybridization of the ODN arm with a complementary ODN was not hindered by the assembly of OligAPol into particles, nor by its association with BR. BR/OligAPol and tOmpA/OligAPol complexes could be immobilized onto either magnetic beads or gold nanoparticles grafted with the complementary ODN, as shown by spectroscopic measurements, fluorescence microscopy and the binding of anti-BR and anti-tOmpA antibodies. OligAPols provide a novel, highly versatile approach to tagging MPs, without modifying them chemically nor genetically, for specific, reversible and targetable immobilization, e.g. for nanoscale applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Le Bon
- UMR 7099, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-7, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Eduardo Antonio Della Pia
- Bio-Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fabrice Giusti
- UMR 7099, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-7, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Noémie Lloret
- Bio-Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Manuela Zoonens
- UMR 7099, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-7, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Karen L Martinez
- Bio-Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jean-Luc Popot
- UMR 7099, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-7, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
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Elter S, Raschle T, Arens S, Viegas A, Gelev V, Etzkorn M, Wagner G. The use of amphipols for NMR structural characterization of 7-TM proteins. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:957-64. [PMID: 24858950 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
While amphipols have been proven useful for refolding of seven transmembrane helical (7-TM) proteins including G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and it could be shown that an amphipol environment is in principle suitable for NMR structural studies of the embedded protein, high-resolution NMR insights into amphipol refolded and isotopically labeled GPCRs are still very limited. Here we report on the recent progress toward NMR structural studies of the melanocortin-2 and -4 receptors, two class A GPCRs which so far have not been reported to be incorporated into an amphipol environment. Making use of the established 7-TM protein bacteriorhodopsin (BR) we initially tested and optimized amphipol refolding conditions. Most promising conditions were transferred to the refolding of the two melanocortin receptors. Analytical-scale refolding experiments on the melanocortin-2 receptor show very similar behavior to the results obtained on BR. Using cell-free protein expression we could generate sufficient amounts of isotopically labeled bacteriorhodopsin as well as melanocortin-2 and -4 receptors for an initial NMR analysis. Upscaling of the amphipol refolding protocol to protein amounts needed for NMR structural studies was, however, not straightforward and impeded detailed NMR insights for the two GPCRs. While well-resolved and dispersed NMR spectra could only be obtained for bacteriorhodopsin, a comparison of NMR data recorded on the melanocortin-4 receptor in SDS and in an amphipol environment indicates that amphipol refolding induces larger structural modifications in the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantha Elter
- Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Mary S, Damian M, Rahmeh R, Mouillac B, Marie J, Granier S, Banères JL. Amphipols in G protein-coupled receptor pharmacology: what are they good for? J Membr Biol 2014; 247:853-60. [PMID: 24801284 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9665-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors are at a central node of all cell communications. Investigating their molecular functioning is therefore crucial for both academic purposes and drug design. However, getting the receptors as isolated, stable and purified proteins for such studies still stumbles over their instability out of the membrane environment. Different membrane-mimicking environments have been developed so far to increase the stability of purified receptors. Among them are amphipols. These polymers not only preserve the native fold of receptors purified from membrane fractions but they also allow specific applications such as folding receptors purified from inclusion bodies back to their native state. Of importance, amphipol-trapped G protein-coupled receptors essentially maintain their pharmacological properties so that they are perfectly adapted to further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying signaling processes. We review here how amphipols have been used to refold and stabilize detergent-solubilized purified receptors and what are the main subsequent molecular pharmacology analyses that were performed using this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mary
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, Université Montpellier 1 et 2, BP 14491, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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Giusti F, Rieger J, Catoire LJ, Qian S, Calabrese AN, Watkinson TG, Casiraghi M, Radford SE, Ashcroft AE, Popot JL. Synthesis, characterization and applications of a perdeuterated amphipol. J Membr Biol 2014; 247:909-24. [PMID: 24652511 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-014-9656-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amphipols are short amphipathic polymers that can substitute for detergents at the hydrophobic surface of membrane proteins (MPs), keeping them soluble in the absence of detergents while stabilizing them. The most widely used amphipol, known as A8-35, is comprised of a polyacrylic acid (PAA) main chain grafted with octylamine and isopropylamine. Among its many applications, A8-35 has proven particularly useful for solution-state NMR studies of MPs, for which it can be desirable to eliminate signals originating from the protons of the surfactant. In the present work, we describe the synthesis and properties of perdeuterated A8-35 (perDAPol). Perdeuterated PAA was obtained by radical polymerization of deuterated acrylic acid. It was subsequently grafted with deuterated amines, yielding perDAPol. The number-average molar mass of hydrogenated and perDAPol, ~4 and ~5 kDa, respectively, was deduced from that of their PAA precursors, determined by size exclusion chromatography in tetrahydrofuran following permethylation. Electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry measurements show the molar mass and distribution of the two APols to be very similar. Upon neutron scattering, the contrast match point of perDAPol is found to be ~120% D2O. In (1)H-(1)H nuclear overhauser effect NMR spectra, its contribution is reduced to ~6% of that of hydrogenated A8-35, making it suitable for extended uses in NMR spectroscopy. PerDAPol ought to also be of use for inelastic neutron scattering studies of the dynamics of APol-trapped MPs, as well as small-angle neutron scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Giusti
- Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Moléculaire des Membranes Biologiques, UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (FRC 550), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and Université Paris-7, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005, Paris, France
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