Membrane Protein Stabilization

Copolymer nanodiscs are the most flexible approach to the solubilization & stabilization of membrane proteins. Their greatest advantage lies in the fact that they stabilize the membrane protein in its native lipid environment.

Cubipol

DIBMA

DIBMAs or Diisobutylene-maleic acids are alternatives to detergents which are normally used in membrane protein solubilization. With DIMBAs, you can directly extract membrane proteins from cells without an intermediate step of detergent solubilization.

SMA

Styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) belongs to a group of synthetic polymers that can form synthetic nanodiscs. These small disc-shaped complexes consist of a polymer, phospholipids of the cell membrane, and a membrane protein. They enable membrane protein stabilization & solubilization without the use of detergents.

AASTY

Poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene), AASTY or SAA, is a highly-alternating copolymer, well-suited for the generation of native lipid nanodiscs. The reactivity ratios of styrene and acrylic acid, allow for a more alternating monomer sequence in the polymer, than 2:1 SMA copolymers.

Ultrasolute™ Amphipol

Ultrasolute™ Amphipol differs from the old Amphipols by replacing linear octyl chains with hydrophobic, saturated cycles. This change improves the polymers' ability to extract membrane proteins from a biological membrane.

Copolymer Depletion

Synthetic copolymers are a great tool for the stabilization of membrane proteins outside the cell membrane.

Membrane scaffold proteins (MSPs) are typically used for the reconstitution of already isolated proteins. A variety of MSPs are available that can be assembled to nanodiscs of different sizes to accommodate proteins with varying numbers of transmembrane domains. His-tagged MSPs allow for easy detection of the nanodisc and even immobilization on SPR chips. On the other hand, if the protein of interest itself carries a His-tag, we recommend using untagged MSP proteins. For use in cell-free expression reactions, assembled nanodiscs are available.

Assembled Nanodiscs

Assembled nanodiscs are available as part of a Cube Biotech collaboration with the Institute of Biophysics at the University of Frankfurt. Bacterial and eucaryotic membrane proteins can be expressed, and activity may depend on the lipid composition of the assembled nanodisc.

MSP Proteins

Membrane scaffold proteins (MSPs) are typically used for the reconstitution of already isolated proteins. A variety of MSPs are available that can be assembled to nanodiscs of different sizes to accommodate proteins with varying numbers of transmembrane domains.

Nanodisc Assembly Kits

Nanodisc Assembly Kits provide labor-saving aliquots and protocols to generate empty nanodiscs. These are advantageous for use with cell-free protein expression reactions, where the nascent membrane proteins can insert directly into the nanodisc without preliminary detergent extraction.

Detergents are the most commonly used substances for membrane protein stabilization. Before you use a specific detergent for a new membrane protein you must screen for a matching one. For this purpose, we offer detergent screening sets.

Non-Ionic Maltosides

Non-Ionic Glucosides

Lipid-Like Detergents