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Recent advances in nanodisc technology for membrane protein studies (2012–2017)
Author(s) -
Rouck John E.,
Krapf John E.,
Roy Jahnabi,
Huff Hannah C.,
Das Aditi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.12706
Subject(s) - nanodisc , biophysics , chemistry , biosensor , lipid bilayer , nanotechnology , biological membrane , membrane protein , membrane , materials science , biochemistry , biology
Historically, the main barrier to membrane protein investigations has been the tendency of membrane proteins to aggregate (due to their hydrophobic nature), in aqueous solution as well as on surfaces. The introduction of biomembrane mimetics has since stimulated momentum in the field. One such mimetic, the nanodisc (ND) system, has proved to be an exceptional system for solubilizing membrane proteins. Herein, we critically evaluate the advantages and imperfections of employing nanodiscs in biophysical and biochemical studies. Specifically, we examine the techniques that have been modified to study membrane proteins in nanodiscs. Techniques discussed here include fluorescence microscopy, solution‐state/solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, electron microscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and several mass spectroscopy methods. Newer techniques such as SPR, charge‐sensitive optical detection, and scintillation proximity assays are also reviewed. Lastly, we cover how nanodiscs are advancing nanotechnology through nanoplasmonic biosensing, lipoprotein‐nanoplatelets, and sortase‐mediated labeling of nanodiscs.