NTA-Cholesterol Analogue for the Nongenetic Liquid-Ordered Phase-Specific Functionalization of Lipid Membranes with Proteins

ACS Chem Biol. 2023 Jun 16;18(6):1435-1443. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00180. Epub 2023 May 15.

Abstract

The nongenetic modification of cell membranes with proteins is a straightforward way of cellular engineering. In these processes, it is important to specifically address the proteins to liquid-ordered (Lo) or liquid-disordered (Ld) domains as this can largely affect their biological functions. Herein, we report a cholesterol analogue (CHIM) with a nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) headgroup, named CHIM-NTA. CHIM-NTA integrates into lipid membranes similar to the widely used phospholipid-derived DGS-NTA and, when loaded with Ni2+, allows for specific membrane immobilization of any polyhistidine-tagged proteins of choice. Yet, unlike DGS-NTA, it localizes to the Lo phase in phase-separated giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and allows addressing His-tagged proteins to Lo domains. Furthermore, CHIM-NTA readily integrates into the membranes of live cells and thus enables the nongenetic modification of the cell surface with proteins. Overall, CHIM-NTA provides a facile and flexible way to modify biological membranes, in particular Lo domains, with His-tagged proteins and can serve as a broadly applicable molecular tool for cell surface engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cholesterol
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Lipids
  • Nitrilotriacetic Acid*
  • Proteins*
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Nitrilotriacetic Acid
  • Proteins
  • Unilamellar Liposomes
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Lipids
  • Cholesterol