Proteopolymersomes: in vitro production of a membrane protein in polymersome membranes

Biointerphases. 2011 Dec;6(4):153-7. doi: 10.1116/1.3644384.

Abstract

Polymersomes are stable self-assembled architectures which mimic cell membranes. For characterization, membrane proteins can be incorporated into such bio-mimetic membranes by reconstitution methods, leading to so-called proteopolymersomes. In this work, we demonstrate the direct incorporation of a membrane protein into polymersome membranes by a cell-free expression system. Firstly, we demonstrate pore formation in the preformed polymersome membrane using α-hemolysin. Secondly, we use claudin-2, a protein involved in cell-cell interactions, to demonstrate the in vitro expression of a membrane protein into these polymersomes. Surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) binding studies with the claudin-2 proteopolymersomes and claudin-2 specific antibodies are performed to show the presence of the in vitro expressed protein in polymersome membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Claudins / metabolism*
  • Fluoresceins / metabolism
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Polymers / metabolism*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance

Substances

  • CLDN2 protein, human
  • Claudins
  • Fluoresceins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polymers
  • fluorexon