1. Amphipols from A to Z
- Author
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Popot, J-L, Althoff, T, Bagnard, D, Banères, J-L, Bazzacco, P, Billon-Denis, E, Catoire, Laurent J., Champeil, P, Charvolin, D, Cocco, M J, Crémel, G, Dahmane, T, de la Maza, L M, Ebel, C, Gabel, F, Giusti, F, Gohon, Y, Goormaghtigh, E, Guittet, E, Kleinschmidt, J. H., Kühlbrandt, W, Le Bon, C, Martinez, Karen Laurence, Picard, M, Pucci, B, Sachs, J N, Tribet, C, Van Heijenoort, C, Wien, F, Zito, F, Zoonens, M, Popot, J-L, Althoff, T, Bagnard, D, Banères, J-L, Bazzacco, P, Billon-Denis, E, Catoire, Laurent J., Champeil, P, Charvolin, D, Cocco, M J, Crémel, G, Dahmane, T, de la Maza, L M, Ebel, C, Gabel, F, Giusti, F, Gohon, Y, Goormaghtigh, E, Guittet, E, Kleinschmidt, J. H., Kühlbrandt, W, Le Bon, C, Martinez, Karen Laurence, Picard, M, Pucci, B, Sachs, J N, Tribet, C, Van Heijenoort, C, Wien, F, Zito, F, and Zoonens, M
- Abstract
Amphipols (APols) are short amphipathic polymers that can substitute for detergents to keep integral membrane proteins (MPs) water soluble. In this review, we discuss their structure and solution behavior; the way they associate with MPs; and the structure, dynamics, and solution properties of the resulting complexes. All MPs tested to date form water-soluble complexes with APols, and their biochemical stability is in general greatly improved compared with MPs in detergent solutions. The functionality and ligand-binding properties of APol-trapped MPs are reviewed, and the mechanisms by which APols stabilize MPs are discussed. Applications of APols include MP folding and cell-free synthesis, structural studies by NMR, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, APol-mediated immobilization of MPs onto solid supports, proteomics, delivery of MPs to preexisting membranes, and vaccine formulation.
- Published
- 2011