Synthetic nanodiscs are disc shaped complexes made from synthetic polymers like DIBMA or SMAs (1,2) that are one the best ways to solubilize and stabilize a membrane protein of interest. Their development and use in the field of proteomics is one of the greatest advances pf the field. Traditionally
Detergents (like SDS,
n-octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (OG),
n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside (DDM) are used for solubilization and stabilization of membrane proteins from the cell membrane. However these detergents can interfere with affect the functional properties of a membrane protein (3). Synthetic nanodiscs are mimicing the native lipid membrane by cutting out the membrane protein of interest out of the cell membrane together with its original lipid enviroment. The alternative to Synthetic Nanodiscs are the
MSP-nanodiscs.
Update November 2020: We added SMA to our product assortment! With the help of
Orbiscope we now offer a second options to create synthetic nanodiscs for membrane protein solubilization & stabilization!
Currently these are CubeBiotech's options for the creation of synthetic nanodiscs:
| DIBMA | Feature |
|---|
| Formula Weight | ~12,000 g/mol or 10,000 g/mol |
| pH | 7.5 in buffer |
| Structure |
 |
| SMA | Feature |
|---|
| Formula Weight | 5,000-10,000 g/mol
Depending on SMA polymer |
| pH | 4,5 - 8,2 |
Structure
Note that this is the default structure for most SMAs, but not all. For example SMALP 1100I is imidized. |
|
DIBMA is the perfect choice for membrane protein solubilization and subsequent stabilization without the need for detergents (4). One further advantage of DIBMA is the lack of any meaningful absorbance of the protein specific wavelength of 280 nm. Therefore quantifying a protein after treatment with DIBMA is not influenced by any absorbance signal by the polymer.
Similar to DIBMA, SMA is a synthetic polymer that can create synthetic nanodiscs for the solubilization & stabilization for membrane proteins. The key difference between the two lies in the superior solulization rate of SMA compared to DIBMA. However SMA shows noticeable absorbance at 280 nm.
The question if SMA or DIBMA is the best option for your protein of interest is a tricky one. Especially if you have never worked with your current membrane protein of interest before. For these cases we compiled our most prominent SMALP and DIBMA products into
this practical Synthetic Nanodisc Screening Set for your convenience!
All 8 products are buffered in HEPES to provide maximal comparability between the individual screening assays. Which 8 products are include in the Kit precisely can be found in the product's description.
References
- Knowles, Timothy J., et al. "Membrane proteins solubilized intact in lipid containing nanoparticles bounded by styrene maleic acid copolymer." Journal of the American Chemical Society 131.22 (2009): 7484-7485.
- Oluwole, Abraham Olusegun, et al. "Solubilization of Membrane Proteins into Functional Lipid‐Bilayer Nanodiscs Using a Diisobutylene/Maleic Acid Copolymer." Angewandte Chemie International Edition 56.7 (2017): 1919-1924.
- Seddon, Annela M., Paul Curnow, and Paula J. Booth. "Membrane proteins, lipids and detergents: not just a soap opera." Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes 1666.1-2 (2004): 105-117.
- Oluwole, Abraham Olusegun, et al. "Formation of lipid-bilayer nanodiscs by diisobutylene/maleic acid (DIBMA) copolymer." 33.50 (2017): 14378-14388.
