Effect of Polymer Composition and pH on Membrane Solubilization by Styrene-Maleic Acid Copolymers.

ABSTRACT: The styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer is rapidly gaining attention as a tool in membrane research, due to its ability to directly solubilize lipid membranes into nanodisk particles without the requirement of conventional detergents. Although many variants of SMA are commercially available, so far only SMA variants with a 2:1 and 3:1 styrene-to-maleic acid ratio have been used in lipid membrane studies. It is not known how SMA composition affects the solubilization behavior of SMA. Here, we systematically investigated the effect of varying the styrene/maleic acid on the properties of SMA in solution and on its interaction with membranes. Also the effect of pH was studied, because the proton concentration in the solution will affect the charge density and thereby may modulate the propertie

SUBMITTER: Scheidelaar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5103014 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature