Analysis of the association of proteins with membranes

Curr Protoc Cell Biol. 2001 May:Chapter 5:Unit 5.4. doi: 10.1002/0471143030.cb0101s05.

Abstract

Proteins associate with membranes in a number of ways. Is the membrane an integral membrane protein? A peripheral protein? Does it have a glycosylphosphoinositol (GPI) tail? Is it associated with caveolae-derived plasma membrane domains? This unit describes methods for determining how a protein of interest associates with the membrane including extraction with alkaline carbonate, urea, high salt, or Triton X-114. GPI linkage is probed using PI-PLC cleavage. There is a method for detergent solubilization of Triton-X 100 insoluble integral and GPI-linked proteins. Caveolae membranes can be isolated using Triton X-100 or a detergent-free method.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caveolae / chemistry
  • Cell Fractionation / methods
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry*
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Detergents / pharmacology
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Octoxynol
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Urea

Substances

  • Detergents
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Urea
  • Octoxynol
  • Nonidet P-40
  • Phosphoinositide Phospholipase C