Solubilisation of membrane protein REAMP in polymer-stabilised nanodiscs

Poly(Styrene-Maleic Acid) (SMA) is increasingly used in the formation of lipid-nanodiscs for structural membrane studies and biophysics. These polymer-formed nanodiscs are an appealing choice compared to more traditional alternatives, as preparations are stable, quick, low cost and can be produced in large quantities. In this proposal we wish to study the membrane proteins gramicidin and REAMP within polymer-nanodiscs using SMA variants. REAMP is a de novo membrane protein containing four alpha-helical transmembrane domains while gramicidin is readily available. This study will enable us to evaluate the key contrasts required for membrane protein study when incorporated into nanodiscs and whether REAMP maintains its native formation, ultimately to obtain its 3D structure. This highlights the potential to use polymer-stabilised nanodiscs for membrane protein structural analysis using SANS