Molecular Mechanism of Lipid Nanodisk Formation by Styrene-Maleic Acid Copolymers.

ABSTRACT: Experimental characterization of membrane proteins often requires solubilization. A recent approach is to use styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers to isolate membrane proteins in nanometer-sized membrane disks, or so-called SMA lipid particles (SMALPs). The approach has the advantage of allowing direct extraction of proteins, keeping their native lipid environment. Despite the growing popularity of using SMALPs, the molecular mechanism behind the process remains poorly understood. Here, we unravel the molecular details of the nanodisk formation by using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. We show how SMA copolymers bind to the lipid bilayer interface, driven by the hydrophobic effect. Due to the concerted action of multiple adsorbed copolymers, large membrane defects appear, inc

SUBMITTER: Xue M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6084417 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature