1
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Ayub H, Murray RJ, Kuyler GC, Napier-Khwaja F, Gunner J, Dafforn TR, Klumperman B, Poyner DR, Wheatley M. GPCRs in the round: SMA-like copolymers and SMALPs as a platform for investigating GPCRs. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 754:109946. [PMID: 38395122 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109946] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins, regulate a plethora of physiological responses and are the therapeutic target for 30-40% of clinically-prescribed drugs. They are integral membrane proteins deeply embedded in the plasma membrane where they activate intracellular signalling via coupling to G-proteins and β-arrestin. GPCRs are in intimate association with the bilayer lipids and that lipid environment regulates the signalling functions of GPCRs. This complex lipid 'landscape' is both heterogeneous and dynamic. GPCR function is modulated by bulk membrane properties including membrane fluidity, microdomains, curvature, thickness and asymmetry but GPCRs are also regulated by specific lipid:GPCR binding, including cholesterol and anionic lipids. Understanding the molecular mechanisms whereby GPCR signalling is regulated by lipids is a very active area of research currently. A major advance in membrane protein research in recent years was the application of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) copolymers. These spontaneously generate SMA lipid particles (SMALPs) encapsulating membrane protein in a nano-scale disc of cell membrane, thereby removing the historical need for detergent and preserving lipid:GPCR interaction. The focus of this review is how GPCR-SMALPs are increasing our understanding of GPCR structure and function at the molecular level. Furthermore, an increasing number of 'second generation' SMA-like copolymers have been reported recently. These are reviewed from the context of increasing our understanding of GPCR molecular mechanisms. Moreover, their potential as a novel platform for downstream biophysical and structural analyses is assessed and looking ahead, the translational application of SMA-like copolymers to GPCR drug discovery programmes in the future is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoor Ayub
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK.
| | - Rebecca J Murray
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK; Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Gestél C Kuyler
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK; Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | | | - Joseph Gunner
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Tim R Dafforn
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Bert Klumperman
- Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - David R Poyner
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Mark Wheatley
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, CV1 2DS, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK
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2
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Janata M, Gupta S, Čadová E, Angelisová P, Krishnarjuna B, Ramamoorthy A, Hořejší V, Raus V. Sulfonated polystyrenes: pH and Mg 2+-insensitive amphiphilic copolymers for detergent-free membrane protein isolation. Eur Polym J 2023; 198:112412. [PMID: 37780808 PMCID: PMC10538444 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.112412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Amphiphilic polymers are increasingly applied in the detergent-free isolation and functional studies of membrane proteins. However, the carboxylate group present in the structure of many popular variants, such as styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers, brings limitations in terms of polymer sensitivity to precipitation at acidic pH or in the presence of divalent metal cations. Herein, we addressed this problem by replacing carboxylate with the more acidic sulfonate groups. To this end, we synthesized a library of amphiphilic poly[styrene-co-(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)] copolymers (termed SSS), differing in their molecular weight and overall polarity. Using model cell membranes (Jurkat), we identified two copolymer compositions (SSS-L30 and SSS-L36) that solubilized membranes to an extent similar to SMA. Interestingly, the density gradient ultracentrifugation/SDS-PAGE/Western blotting analysis of cell lysates revealed a distribution of studied membrane proteins in the gradient fractions that was different than for SMA-solubilized membranes. Importantly, unlike SMA, the SSS copolymers remained soluble at low pH and in the presence of Mg2+ ions. Additionally, the solubilization of DMPC liposomes by the lead materials was studied by turbidimetry, DLS, SEC, and high-resolution NMR, revealing, for SSS-L36, the formation of stable particles (nanodiscs), facilitated by the direct hydrophobic interaction of the copolymer phenyls with lipid acyl chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Janata
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Sachin Gupta
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Čadová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Angelisová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics Program, Department of Chemistry, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - Václav Hořejší
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Raus
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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3
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Janata M, Čadová E, Angelisová P, Charnavets T, Hořejší V, Raus V. Tailoring Butyl Methacrylate/Methacrylic Acid Copolymers for the Solubilization of Membrane Proteins: The Influence of Composition and Molecular Weight. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200284. [PMID: 35964154 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Low-molecular weight (MW) amphiphilic copolymers have been recently introduced as a powerful tool for the detergent-free isolation of cell membrane proteins. Herein, we use a screening approach to identify a new copolymer type for this application. Via a two-step ATRP/acidolysis procedure, we prepare a 3×3 matrix of well-defined poly[(butyl methacrylate)-co-(methacrylic acid)] copolymers (denoted BMAA) differing in their MW and ratio of hydrophobic (BMA) and hydrophilic (MAA) units. Subsequently, using the biologically relevant model (T-cell line Jurkat), we identify two compositions of BMAA copolymers that solubilize cell membranes to an extent comparable to the industry standard, styrene-maleic acid copolymer (SMA), while avoiding the potentially problematic phenyl groups. Surprisingly, while only the lowest-MW variant of the BMA/MAA 2:1 composition is effective, all the copolymers of the BMA/MAA 1:1 composition are found to solubilize the model membranes, including the high-MW variant (MW of 14 000). Importantly, the density gradient ultracentrifugation/SDS PAGE/Western blotting experiments reveal that the BMA/MAA 1:1 copolymers disintegrate the Jurkat membranes differently than SMA, as demonstrated by the different distribution patterns of two tested membrane protein markers. This makes the BMAA copolymers a useful tool for studies on membrane microdomains differing in their composition and resistance to membrane-disintegrating polymers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Janata
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6, 162 06, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Čadová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6, 162 06, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Angelisová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Tatsiana Charnavets
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, 142 20, Czech Republic.,T. Charnavets, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, Vestec, CZ-25242, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Hořejší
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Raus
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6, 162 06, Czech Republic
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4
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Krishnarjuna B, Ramamoorthy A. Detergent-Free Isolation of Membrane Proteins and Strategies to Study Them in a Near-Native Membrane Environment. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1076. [PMID: 36008970 PMCID: PMC9406181 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Atomic-resolution structural studies of membrane-associated proteins and peptides in a membrane environment are important to fully understand their biological function and the roles played by them in the pathology of many diseases. However, the complexity of the cell membrane has severely limited the application of commonly used biophysical and biochemical techniques. Recent advancements in NMR spectroscopy and cryoEM approaches and the development of novel membrane mimetics have overcome some of the major challenges in this area. For example, the development of a variety of lipid-nanodiscs has enabled stable reconstitution and structural and functional studies of membrane proteins. In particular, the ability of synthetic amphipathic polymers to isolate membrane proteins directly from the cell membrane, along with the associated membrane components such as lipids, without the use of a detergent, has opened new avenues to study the structure and function of membrane proteins using a variety of biophysical and biological approaches. This review article is focused on covering the various polymers and approaches developed and their applications for the functional reconstitution and structural investigation of membrane proteins. The unique advantages and limitations of the use of synthetic polymers are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bankala Krishnarjuna
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
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5
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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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6
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Stoddart LA, Goulding J, Briddon SJ. Advances in the application of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study detergent purified and encapsulated membrane proteins. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 146:106210. [PMID: 35390493 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a quantitative spectroscopy technique which could potentially increase throughput and sensitivity of screening for ligand, substrate and inhibitor binding to membrane proteins in solution. However, the purification of membrane proteins in their active forms is complex, as the lipid bilayer provides stability and its removal often causes the protein to become conformationally unstable. This has limited the application of biophysical techniques such as FCS to study the function of membrane proteins. The recent application of native extraction techniques such as styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) has resolved this issue and FCS has emerged as a powerful option for studying proteins extracted in this way. This review will discuss the application of FCS to study purified membrane proteins in detergent micelles, nanodiscs and SMALPs and its potential to be used routinely in membrane protein drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh A Stoddart
- Cell Signalling and Pharmacology Research Group, Division of Physiology Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Joëlle Goulding
- Cell Signalling and Pharmacology Research Group, Division of Physiology Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Stephen J Briddon
- Cell Signalling and Pharmacology Research Group, Division of Physiology Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK; Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, UK.
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7
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Gao F, Tom E, Skowronska-Krawczyk D. Dynamic Progress in Technological Advances to Study Lipids in Aging: Challenges and Future Directions. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 3:851073. [PMID: 35821837 PMCID: PMC9261449 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.851073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lipids participate in all cellular processes. Diverse methods have been developed to investigate lipid composition and distribution in biological samples to understand the effect of lipids across an organism’s lifespan. Here, we summarize the advanced techniques for studying lipids, including mass spectrometry-based lipidomics, lipid imaging, chemical-based lipid analysis and lipid engineering and their advantages. We further discuss the limitation of the current methods to gain an in-depth knowledge of the role of lipids in aging, and the possibility of lipid-based therapy in aging-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Emily Tom
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk,
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8
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Conformational trapping of an ABC transporter in polymer lipid nanoparticles. Biochem J 2022; 479:145-159. [PMID: 35050326 PMCID: PMC8883494 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins play important roles in cells as importers and exporters but as membrane proteins they are subject to well-known challenges of isolating pure and stable samples for study. One solution to this problem is to use styrene-maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs). Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) can be added directly to membranes, forming stable nanoparticles incorporating membrane proteins and lipids. Here we use Sav1866, a well-characterised bacterial protein, as a proxy for ABC proteins in general. We show that stable and monodispersed Sav1866 can be purified at high yield using SMA. This protein can be used for biophysical characterisations showing that its overall structure is consistent with existing evidence. However, like other ABC proteins in SMALPs it does not hydrolyse ATP. The lack of ATPase activity in ABC–SMALPs may result from conformational trapping of the proteins in SMALPs. Undertaken in a controlled manner, conformational trapping is a useful tool to stabilise protein samples into a single conformation for structural studies. Due to their inability to hydrolyse ATP, the conformation of Sav1866–SMALPs cannot be altered using ATP and vanadate after purification. To achieve controlled trapping of Sav1866–SMALPs we show that Sav1866 in crude membranes can be incubated with ATP, magnesium and sodium orthovanadate. Subsequent solubilisation and purification with SMA produces a sample of Sav1866–SMALPs with enhanced stability, and in a single conformational state. This method may be generally applicable to vanadate-sensitive ABC proteins and overcomes a limitation of the SMALP system for the study of this protein family.
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9
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Kopf AH, Lijding O, Elenbaas BOW, Koorengevel MC, Dobruchowska JM, van Walree CA, Killian JA. Synthesis and Evaluation of a Library of Alternating Amphipathic Copolymers to Solubilize and Study Membrane Proteins. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:743-759. [PMID: 34994549 PMCID: PMC8924871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Amphipathic copolymers
such as poly(styrene-maleic acid) (SMA)
are promising tools for the facile extraction of membrane proteins
(MPs) into native nanodiscs. Here, we designed and synthesized a library
of well-defined alternating copolymers of SMA analogues in order to
elucidate polymer properties that are important for MP solubilization
and stability. MP extraction efficiency was determined using KcsA
from E. coli membranes, and general solubilization
efficiency was investigated via turbidimetry experiments on membranes
of E. coli, yeast mitochondria, and synthetic
lipids. Remarkably, halogenation of SMA copolymers dramatically improved
solubilization efficiency in all systems, while substituents on the
copolymer backbone improved resistance to Ca2+. Relevant
polymer properties were found to include hydrophobic balance, size
and positioning of substituents, rigidity, and electronic effects.
The library thus contributes to the rational design of copolymers
for the study of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian H Kopf
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Odette Lijding
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Barend O W Elenbaas
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn C Koorengevel
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Justyna M Dobruchowska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A van Walree
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J Antoinette Killian
- Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
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10
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Biophysical characterisation of SMALPs. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2037-2050. [PMID: 34643233 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as receptors, ion channels and transport proteins are important drug targets. The structure-based study of membrane proteins is challenging, especially when the target protein contains both soluble and insoluble domains. Most membrane proteins are insoluble in aqueous solvent and embedded in the plasma membrane lipid bilayer, which significantly complicates biophysical studies. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and other polymer derivatives are increasingly common solubilisation agents, used to isolate membrane proteins stabilised in their native lipid environment in the total absence of detergent. Since the initial report of SMA-mediated solubilisation, and the formation of SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), this technique can directly isolate therapeutic targets from biological membranes, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). SMA now allows biophysical and structural analyses of membrane proteins in solution that was not previously possible. Here, we critically review several existing biophysical techniques compatible with SMALPs, with a focus on hydrodynamic analysis, microcalorimetric analysis and optical spectroscopic techniques.
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