Mechanical mapping of single membrane proteins at submolecular resolution

Nano Lett. 2011 Sep 14;11(9):3983-6. doi: 10.1021/nl202351t. Epub 2011 Aug 3.

Abstract

The capacity of proteins to carry out different functions is related to their ability to undergo conformation changes, which depends on the flexibility of protein structures. In this work, we applied a novel imaging mode based on indentation force spectroscopy to map quantitatively the flexibility of individual membrane proteins in their native, folded state at unprecedented submolecular resolution. Our results enabled us to correlate protein flexibility with crystal structure and showed that α-helices are stiff structures that may contribute importantly to the mechanical stability of membrane proteins, while interhelical loops appeared more flexible, allowing conformational changes related to function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriorhodopsins / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Elasticity
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Proteins / analysis*
  • Proteins / chemistry

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Bacteriorhodopsins