scholarly journals Membrane protein-based biosensors

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (141) ◽  
pp. 20170952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuo Misawa ◽  
Toshihisa Osaki ◽  
Shoji Takeuchi
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Cultured Cell ◽  
Sensor Device ◽  
Fundamental Information ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Target Molecules

This review highlights recent development of biosensors that use the functions of membrane proteins. Membrane proteins are essential components of biological membranes and have a central role in detection of various environmental stimuli such as olfaction and gustation. A number of studies have attempted for development of biosensors using the sensing property of these membrane proteins. Their specificity to target molecules is particularly attractive as it is significantly superior to that of traditional human-made sensors. In this review, we classified the membrane protein-based biosensors into two platforms: the lipid bilayer-based platform and the cell-based platform. On lipid bilayer platforms, the membrane proteins are embedded in a lipid bilayer that bridges between the protein and a sensor device. On cell-based platforms, the membrane proteins are expressed in a cultured cell, which is then integrated in a sensor device. For both platforms we introduce the fundamental information and the recent progress in the development of the biosensors, and remark on the outlook for practical biosensing applications.

scholarly journals Changes in Membrane Protein Structural Biology

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 401
Author(s):  
James Birch ◽  
Harish Cheruvara ◽  
Nadisha Gamage ◽  
Peter J. Harrison ◽  
Ryan Lithgo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Structural Biology ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Difficult Area

Membrane proteins are essential components of many biochemical processes and are important pharmaceutical targets. Membrane protein structural biology provides the molecular rationale for these biochemical process as well as being a highly useful tool for drug discovery. Unfortunately, membrane protein structural biology is a difficult area of study due to low protein yields and high levels of instability especially when membrane proteins are removed from their native environments. Despite this instability, membrane protein structural biology has made great leaps over the last fifteen years. Today, the landscape is almost unrecognisable. The numbers of available atomic resolution structures have increased 10-fold though advances in crystallography and more recently by cryo-electron microscopy. These advances in structural biology were achieved through the efforts of many researchers around the world as well as initiatives such as the Membrane Protein Laboratory (MPL) at Diamond Light Source. The MPL has helped, provided access to and contributed to advances in protein production, sample preparation and data collection. Together, these advances have enabled higher resolution structures, from less material, at a greater rate, from a more diverse range of membrane protein targets. Despite this success, significant challenges remain. Here, we review the progress made and highlight current and future challenges that will be overcome.

Quantitation and topography of membrane proteins in highly water-permeable vesicles from ADH-stimulated toad bladder

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (1) ◽  
pp. C143-C153 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Harris ◽  
M. L. Zeidel ◽  
C. Hosselet
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Water Channels ◽  
Toad Bladder ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Vesicle Protein

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulation of toad bladder granular cells rapidly increases the osmotic water permeability (Pf) of their apical membranes by insertion of highly selective water channels. Before ADH stimulation, these water channels are stored in large cytoplasmic vesicles called aggrephores. ADH causes aggrephores to fuse with the apical membrane. Termination of ADH stimulation results in prompt endocytosis of water channel-containing membranes via retrieval of these specialized regions of apical membrane. Protein components of the ADH water channel contained within these retrieved vesicles would be expected to be integral membrane protein(s) that span the vesicle's lipid bilayer to create narrow aqueous channels. Our previous work has identified proteins of 55 (actually a 55/53-kDa doublet), 17, 15, and 7 kDa as candidate ADH water channel components. We now have investigated these candidate ADH water channel proteins in purified retrieved vesicles. These vesicles do not contain a functional proton pump as assayed by Western blots of purified vesicle protein probed with anti-H(+)-ATPase antisera. Approximately 60% of vesicle protein is accounted for by three protein bands of 55, 53, and 46 kDa. Smaller contributions to vesicle protein are made by the 17- and 15-kDa proteins. Triton X-114-partitioning analysis shows that the 55, 53, 46, and 17 kDa are integral membrane proteins. Vectorial labeling analysis with two membrane-impermeant reagents shows that the 55-, 53-, and 46-kDa protein species span the lipid bilayer of these vesicles. Thus the 55-, 53-, and 46-kDa proteins possess characteristics expected for ADH water channel components. These data show that the 55- and 53- and perhaps the 46-, 17-, and 15-kDa proteins are likely components of aqueous transmembrane pores that constitute ADH water channels contained within these vesicles.

scholarly journals YidC Occupies the Lateral Gate of the SecYEG Translocon and Is Sequentially Displaced by a Nascent Membrane Protein

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (23) ◽  
pp. 16295-16307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilie Sachelaru ◽  
Narcis Adrian Petriman ◽  
Renuka Kudva ◽  
Patrick Kuhn ◽  
Thomas Welte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Transmembrane Domains ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Lipid Phase ◽  
Lipid Transfer ◽  
Lateral Gate

Most membrane proteins are co-translationally inserted into the lipid bilayer via the universally conserved SecY complex and they access the lipid phase presumably via a lateral gate in SecY. In bacteria, the lipid transfer of membrane proteins from the SecY channel is assisted by the SecY-associated protein YidC, but details on the SecY-YidC interaction are unknown. By employing an in vivo and in vitro site-directed cross-linking approach, we have mapped the SecY-YidC interface and found YidC in contact with all four transmembrane domains of the lateral gate. This interaction did not require the SecDFYajC complex and was not influenced by SecA binding to SecY. In contrast, ribosomes dissociated the YidC contacts to lateral gate helices 2b and 8. The major contact between YidC and the lateral gate was lost in the presence of ribosome nascent chains and new SecY-YidC contacts appeared. These data demonstrate that the SecY-YidC interaction is influenced by nascent-membrane-induced lateral gate movements.

scholarly journals Unbalanced Charge Distribution as a Determinant for Dependence of a Subset of Escherichia coli Membrane Proteins on the Membrane Insertase YidC

mBio ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Gray ◽  
Josephine M. Henderson-Frost ◽  
Dana Boyd ◽  
Shirin Shirafi ◽  
Hironori Niki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Charge Distribution ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
Membrane Insertion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Cell Processes ◽  
A Charge

ABSTRACTMembrane proteins are involved in numerous essential cell processes, including transport, gene regulation, motility, and metabolism. To function properly, they must be inserted into the membrane and folded correctly. YidC, an essential protein inEscherichia coliwith homologues in other bacteria,Archaea, mitochondria, and chloroplasts, functions by incompletely understood mechanisms in the insertion and folding of certain membrane proteins. Using a genome-scale approach, we identified 69E. colimembrane proteins that, in the absence of YidC, exhibited aberrant localization by microscopy. Further examination of a subset revealed biochemical defects in membrane insertion in the absence of YidC, indicating their dependence on YidC for proper membrane insertion or folding. Membrane proteins possessing an unfavorable distribution of positively charged residues were significantly more likely to depend on YidC for membrane insertion. Correcting the charge distribution of a charge-unbalanced YidC-dependent membrane protein abrogated its requirement for YidC, while perturbing the charge distribution of a charge-balanced YidC-independent membrane protein rendered it YidC dependent, demonstrating that charge distribution can be a necessary and sufficient determinant of YidC dependence. These findings provide insights into a mechanism by which YidC promotes proper membrane protein biogenesis and suggest a critical function of YidC in all organisms and organelles that express it.IMPORTANCEBiological membranes are fundamental components of cells, providing barriers that enclose the cell and separate compartments. Proteins inserted into biological membranes serve critical functions in molecular transport, molecular partitioning, and other essential cell processes. The mechanisms involved in the insertion of proteins into membranes, however, are incompletely understood. The YidC protein is critical for the insertion of a subset of proteins into membranes across an evolutionarily wide group of organisms. Here we identify a large group of proteins that depend on YidC for membrane insertion inEscherichia coli, and we identify unfavorable distribution of charge as an important determinant of YidC dependence for proper membrane insertion.

scholarly journals Lipidomic and in-gel analysis of maleic acid co-polymer nanodiscs reveals differences in composition of solubilized membranes

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Barniol-Xicota ◽  
Steven H. L. Verhelst
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Maleic Acid ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Aqueous Buffer ◽  
Detergent Solubilization

AbstractMembrane proteins are key in a large number of physiological and pathological processes. Their study often involves a prior detergent solubilization step, which strips away the membrane and can jeopardize membrane protein integrity. A recent alternative to detergents encompasses maleic acid based copolymers (xMAs), which disrupt the lipid bilayer and form lipid protein nanodiscs (xMALPs) soluble in aqueous buffer. Although xMALPs are often referred to as native nanodiscs, little is known about the resemblance of their lipid and protein content to the native bilayer. Here we have analyzed prokaryotic and eukaryotic xMALPs using lipidomics and in-gel analysis. Our results show that the xMALPs content varies with the chemical properties of the used xMA.

scholarly journals Lipid Bilayer Induces Contraction of the Denatured State Ensemble of a Helical-Bundle Membrane Protein

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Gaffney ◽  
Ruiqiong Guo ◽  
Michael D Bridges ◽  
Daoyang Chen ◽  
Shaima Muhammednazaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Denatured State ◽  
Helical Bundle ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
State Ensemble

Defining the denatured state ensemble (DSE) and intrinsically disordered proteins is essential to understanding protein folding, chaperone action, degradation, translocation and cell signaling. While a majority of studies have focused on water-soluble proteins, the DSE of membrane proteins is much less characterized. Here, we reconstituted the DSE of a helical bundle membrane protein GlpG of Escherichia coli in native lipid bilayers and measured its conformation and compactness. The DSE was obtained using steric trapping, which couples spontaneous denaturation of a doubly biotinylated GlpG to binding of two bulky monovalent streptavidin molecules. Using limited proteolysis and mass spectrometry, we mapped the flexible regions in the DSE. Using our paramagnetic biotin derivative and double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy, we determined the dimensions of the DSE. Finally, we employed our Upside model for molecular dynamics simulations to generate the DSE including the collapsed and fully expanded states in a bilayer. We find that the DSE is highly dynamic involving the topology changes of transmembrane segments and their unfolding. The DSE is expanded relative to the native state, but only to 55-90% of the fully expanded condition. The degree of expansion depends on the chemical potential with regards to local packing and the lipid composition. Our result suggests that the native lipid bilayer promotes the association of helices in the DSE of membrane proteins and, probably in general, facilitating interhelical interactions. This tendency may be the outcome of a general lipophobic effect of proteins within the cell membranes.

Mechanisms underlying drug-mediated regulation of membrane protein function

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (46) ◽  
pp. e2113229118
Author(s):  
Radda Rusinova ◽  
Changhao He ◽  
Olaf S. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Nonspecific Binding ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Protein Conformational Changes ◽  
Potassium Channel Kcsa ◽  
Membrane Protein Function

The hydrophobic coupling between membrane proteins and their host lipid bilayer provides a mechanism by which bilayer-modifying drugs may alter protein function. Drug regulation of membrane protein function thus may be mediated by both direct interactions with the protein and drug-induced alterations of bilayer properties, in which the latter will alter the energetics of protein conformational changes. To tease apart these mechanisms, we examine how the prototypical, proton-gated bacterial potassium channel KcsA is regulated by bilayer-modifying drugs using a fluorescence-based approach to quantify changes in both KcsA function and lipid bilayer properties (using gramicidin channels as probes). All tested drugs inhibited KcsA activity, and the changes in the different gating steps varied with bilayer thickness, suggesting a coupling to the bilayer. Examining the correlations between changes in KcsA gating steps and bilayer properties reveals that drug-induced regulation of membrane protein function indeed involves bilayer-mediated mechanisms. Both direct, either specific or nonspecific, binding and bilayer-mediated mechanisms therefore are likely to be important whenever there is overlap between the concentration ranges at which a drug alters membrane protein function and bilayer properties. Because changes in bilayer properties will impact many diverse membrane proteins, they may cause indiscriminate changes in protein function.

Comparative Analysis of Maleic Acid Copolymer-Based Lipid Nanodiscs Reveals Preferential Lipid and Protein Solubilization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Barniol-Xicota ◽  
Steven Verhelst
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Maleic Acid ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Acid Copolymer ◽  
Lipid Nanodiscs ◽  
Maleic Acid Copolymer

Membrane proteins are key in a large number of physiological and pathological processes. Their study often involves a prior detergent solubilization step, which strips away the membrane and can jeopardize membrane protein integrity. A recent alternative to detergents encompasses maleic acid based copolymers (xMAs), which disrupt the lipid bilayer and form lipid protein nanodiscs (xMALPs) soluble in aqueous buffer. Although xMALPs are often referred to as native nanodiscs, little is known about the resemblance of their lipid and protein content to the native bilayer. Here we have analyzed prokaryotic and eukaryotic xMALPs using lipidomics and in-gel analysis. Our results show that the xMALPs content varies with the chemical properties of the used xMA and that some of these nanodiscs are less native than initially thought.<br>

Manipulating the folding of membrane proteins: using the bilayer to our advantage

2001 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula J. Booth ◽  
A. Rachael Curran ◽  
Richard H. Templer ◽  
Hui Lu ◽  
Wim Meijberg
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Lipid Bilayer ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Generic Properties ◽  
Membrane Bilayer ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Shed Light

The folding mechanisms of integral membrane proteins have largely eluded detailed study. This is owing to the inherent difficulties in folding these hydrophobic proteins in vitro, which, in turn, reflects the often apparently insurmountable problem of mimicking the natural membrane bilayer with lipid or detergent mixtures. There is, however, a large body of information on lipid properties and, in particular, on phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine lipids, which are common to many biological membranes. We have exploited this knowledge to develop efficient in vitro lipid-bilayer folding systems for the membrane protein, bacteriorhodopsin. Furthermore, we have shown that a rate-limiting apoprotein folding step and the overall folding efficiency appear to be controlled by particular properties of the lipid bilayer. The properties of interest are the stored curvature elastic energy within the bilayer, and the lateral pressure that the lipid chains exert on the their neighbouring folding proteins. These are generic properties of the bilayer that can be achieved with simple mixtures of biological lipids, and are not specific to the lipids studied here. These bilayer properties also seem to be important in modulating the function of several membrane proteins, as well as the function of membranes in vivo. Thus, it seems likely that careful manipulations of lipid properties will shed light on the forces that drive membrane protein folding, and will aid the development of bilayer folding systems for other membrane proteins.

scholarly journals Synthesis of Extended, Self-Assembled Biological Membranes containing Membrane Proteins from Gas Phase

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Wilm
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Lipid Membranes ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Biological Membranes ◽  
The Self ◽  
In Vitro Systems

1.AbstractMembrane proteins carry out a wide variety of biological functions. The reproduction of specific properties that have evolved over millions of years of biological membranes in a technically controlled environment is of significant interest. Here a method is presented that allows the self-assembly of a macroscopically large, freely transportable membrane with Outer membrane porin G from Escherichia Coli. The technique does not use protein specific characteristics and therefore, could represent a method for the generation of extended layers of membranes with arbitrary membrane protein content. Such in-vitro systems are relevant in the study of membrane-protein function and structure and the self-assembly of membrane-based protein complexes. They might become important for the incorporation of the lipid-membranes in technological devices.

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