Homogeneous nanodiscs of native membranes formed by stilbene–maleic-acid copolymers
Mansoore Esmaili, Chanelle J. Brown, Rustem Shaykhutdinov, Claudia Acevedo-Morantes, Yongliang Wang, Holger Wille, Richard D. Gandour, S. Richard Turner, Michael Overduin
Abstract
Methylstilbene-alt-maleic acid copolymers spontaneously convert biological membranes into bilayer discs with ∼20 nm diameters. This readily functionalizable class of copolymers has the compositional homogeneity, hydrophobicity, dynamics, and charge that may help to achieve optimal structural resolution, membrane dissolution, stability, and broad utility.
Topics & Concepts
CopolymerHomogeneousMaleic acidMembraneMaterials sciencePolymer chemistryChemical engineeringPolymer scienceChemistryPolymerComposite materialBiochemistryPhysicsThermodynamicsEngineeringLipid Membrane Structure and BehaviorSupramolecular Chemistry and ComplexesCarbon Nanotubes in Composites