Fluorescence quenching methods to study lipid-protein interactions

Curr Protoc Protein Sci. 2006 Sep:Chapter 19:Unit 19.12. doi: 10.1002/0471142301.ps1912s45.

Abstract

This unit describes how fluorescence quenching methods can be used to determine binding constants for phospholipids binding to intrinsic membrane proteins. Reconstitution of a Trp-containing intrinsic membrane protein with bromine-containing phospholipids leads to quenching of the Trp fluorescence of the protein; the extent of quenching depends on the strength of binding of the phospholipid to the protein. Protocols are included for the synthesis of bromine-containing phospholipids from phospholipids containing carbon-carbon double bonds in their fatty acyl chains and for the reconstitution of membrane proteins into bilayers containing bromine-containing phospholipids. Details are included on data analysis, including equations and software that can be used for fitting the fluorescence quenching data.

MeSH terms

  • Bromine / chemistry
  • Fluorescence
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Phospholipids / chemistry*
  • Phospholipids / metabolism
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phospholipids
  • Bromine