Analyzing membrane remodeling and fission using supported bilayers with excess membrane reservoir.

ABSTRACT: A complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing vesicle formation requires quantitative assays and vesicle reconstitution using purified components. We describe a simple model membrane template for studying protein-mediated membrane remodeling and vesicle formation or fission that is amenable to both quantitative biochemical analysis and real-time imaging by epifluorescence microscopy. Supported bilayers with excess membrane reservoir (SUPER) templates are compositionally well-defined unilamellar membrane systems prepared on 2-5-μm silica beads under conditions that enable incorporation of excess membrane to form a loosely fitting bilayer that can be used to study membrane remodeling and fission. This protocol describes methods for SUPER template formation and characterizati

SUBMITTER: Neumann S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4753780 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature