Membrane Protein Platform: Nanodisc
Membrane proteins play an essential role in exchanging material, information, and energy between cells and the external environment and are one of the current research hotspots. However, since membrane proteins have hydrophobic moieties and are easily polymerized in vitro, it is necessary to find a suitable method to allow membrane proteins to exist stably in the extracellular environment. The traditional extraction method of membrane protein uses detergent to extract. Still, the conformation and biological activity of membrane protein after extraction with detergent are easily destroyed due to various problems. As a protein "embedded" in the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane, once it is separated from its stable natural membrane environment, it will affect or even lose its physiological function. Therefore, the best research results may not be achieved even if membrane proteins are successfully extracted.
The discovery of Nanodisc provides strong technical support for membrane protein research and breaks through one of the biggest bottlenecks in membrane protein research. Nanodiscs are phospholipid bilayer membrane-like structures composed of membrane scaffold proteins (MSPs) and phospholipid molecules. Through this special structure, membrane proteins can be integrated into Nanodiscs and maintain their biological activity. Membrane scaffold proteins (MSPs) are reduced versions of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, and they surround lipid bilayers to form disc-like structures known as Nanodiscs. It contains a hydrophobic side facing the inner lipid layer and a hydrophilic side facing outward. This structure enables Nanodiscs to be highly soluble in aqueous solutions while allowing membrane proteins to be solubilized in the absence of detergents.
Figure 1 Assemble MPs into nanodiscs.[1]
Nanodiscs system has many advantages compared with other systems in membrane protein research, especially ligand binding research, conformational dynamics analysis, and protein interaction research; Nanodisc has the following advantages:
- Nanodiscs have the same structure as natural cell membranes
Nanodiscs are structured like normal cell membranes, consisting of two back-to-back phospholipids layers. Contribute to the study of membrane proteins.
- Nanodiscs have strong stability
To keep the Nanodisc's surface in this flat shape, the researchers added a ring of proteins (MSPs) to the outside of the Nanodiscs to stabilize the structure.
- No need to use Detergent
Based on the unique structure of nanodisc, the addition of detergents is not required during the study of membrane proteins.
- Compatible with most protein purification methods
- Wide range of applications and great potential
With advanced technology and rich experience, Creative Biomart provides the most advanced Nanodisc-based membrane protein research system, and we also provide other membrane protein research services.
Please get in touch with us for specific project implementation content and time. If you want to know more service information, please feel free to contact us; Creative Biomart will be your trusted partner.
References:
- Denisov, I., Sligar, S. Nanodiscs for structural and functional studies of membrane proteins. Nat Struct Mol Biol 23, 481–486 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb.3195
- Denisov IG, Sligar SG. Nanodiscs in Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics. Chem Rev. 2017 Mar 22;117(6):4669-4713. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00690.
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