Description:
Membrane proteins (MP) mediate many of the cell’s fundamental processes and MPs are embedded in the cell’s membrane lipid bilayer. Currently, MPs are targets for about 60% of therapeutic drugs in use. However, MPs are very difficult to manipulate and study because they require both an aqueous environment and need transmembrane hydrophobic regions. Because this is tricky and difficult to achieve, most studies use the protein solubilized in detergent. Because of this particular setup, these study systems have limited stability.
This technology comprises three different synthetic polymers designed to replace MPs in both lipid and polymer membrane nanodiscs. These polymers greatly improve the buffer compatibility and expanded the range of applications. This technology could be used for the production of hybrid nanodiscs (HNDs) and polymer nanodiscs (PNDs).
Reference Number: D-1387
Market Applications:
•Biotechnology
•Biomedicine
•Pharmaceutical: drug discovery, targeted therapy
•Industrial enzymatic processes
Features, Benefits, & Advantages:
• Replaces fluidic/labile nature or existing bilayers of liposomes and nanodiscs
• Broad utility
• Flexibility
• Stabilizes membrane proteins
Intellectual Property: A US provisional patent, serial number 62552605, was filed.
Development Stage: The method has been developed and tested.
Researchers:
•Guillermo Altenberg, Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
•Hongjun Liang, Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Keywords: Nanodisc, lipodisc, lipid bylayer