Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) fulfill important physiological functions by providing cell–environment, cell–cell and virus–host communication; nutrients intake; export of toxic compounds out of cells; and more. However, some IMPs have obliterated functions due to polypeptide mutations, modificat...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/9/685 |
| _version_ | 1797518193924767744 |
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| author | Saman Majeed Akram Bani Ahmad Ujala Sehar Elka R. Georgieva |
| author_facet | Saman Majeed Akram Bani Ahmad Ujala Sehar Elka R. Georgieva |
| author_sort | Saman Majeed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) fulfill important physiological functions by providing cell–environment, cell–cell and virus–host communication; nutrients intake; export of toxic compounds out of cells; and more. However, some IMPs have obliterated functions due to polypeptide mutations, modifications in membrane properties and/or other environmental factors—resulting in damaged binding to ligands and the adoption of non-physiological conformations that prevent the protein from returning to its physiological state. Thus, elucidating IMPs’ mechanisms of function and malfunction at the molecular level is important for enhancing our understanding of cell and organism physiology. This understanding also helps pharmaceutical developments for restoring or inhibiting protein activity. To this end, in vitro studies provide invaluable information about IMPs’ structure and the relation between structural dynamics and function. Typically, these studies are conducted on transferred from native membranes to membrane-mimicking nano-platforms (membrane mimetics) purified IMPs. Here, we review the most widely used membrane mimetics in structural and functional studies of IMPs. These membrane mimetics are detergents, liposomes, bicelles, nanodiscs/Lipodisqs, amphipols, and lipidic cubic phases. We also discuss the protocols for IMPs reconstitution in membrane mimetics as well as the applicability of these membrane mimetic-IMP complexes in studies via a variety of biochemical, biophysical, and structural biology techniques. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:26:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-178f6268e79d4356876df06a28141fe4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:26:44Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-178f6268e79d4356876df06a28141fe42023-11-22T14:10:23ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752021-09-0111968510.3390/membranes11090685Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane ProteinsSaman Majeed0Akram Bani Ahmad1Ujala Sehar2Elka R. Georgieva3Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USADepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USAIntegral membrane proteins (IMPs) fulfill important physiological functions by providing cell–environment, cell–cell and virus–host communication; nutrients intake; export of toxic compounds out of cells; and more. However, some IMPs have obliterated functions due to polypeptide mutations, modifications in membrane properties and/or other environmental factors—resulting in damaged binding to ligands and the adoption of non-physiological conformations that prevent the protein from returning to its physiological state. Thus, elucidating IMPs’ mechanisms of function and malfunction at the molecular level is important for enhancing our understanding of cell and organism physiology. This understanding also helps pharmaceutical developments for restoring or inhibiting protein activity. To this end, in vitro studies provide invaluable information about IMPs’ structure and the relation between structural dynamics and function. Typically, these studies are conducted on transferred from native membranes to membrane-mimicking nano-platforms (membrane mimetics) purified IMPs. Here, we review the most widely used membrane mimetics in structural and functional studies of IMPs. These membrane mimetics are detergents, liposomes, bicelles, nanodiscs/Lipodisqs, amphipols, and lipidic cubic phases. We also discuss the protocols for IMPs reconstitution in membrane mimetics as well as the applicability of these membrane mimetic-IMP complexes in studies via a variety of biochemical, biophysical, and structural biology techniques.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/9/685integral membrane proteinslipid membrane mimeticsdetergent micellesbicellesnanodiscsliposomes |
| spellingShingle | Saman Majeed Akram Bani Ahmad Ujala Sehar Elka R. Georgieva Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins Membranes integral membrane proteins lipid membrane mimetics detergent micelles bicelles nanodiscs liposomes |
| title | Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins |
| title_full | Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins |
| title_fullStr | Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins |
| title_short | Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins |
| title_sort | lipid membrane mimetics in functional and structural studies of integral membrane proteins |
| topic | integral membrane proteins lipid membrane mimetics detergent micelles bicelles nanodiscs liposomes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/9/685 |
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