Influence of Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) Copolymer Structure on the Properties and Self-Assembly of SMALP Nanodiscs

Tethering Efficiency of Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer-Synthesized Styrene Maleic Acid Polymers and Associated Styrene Maleic Acid Lipid Nanoparticles on Gold Surfaces

Styrene maleic acid lipid nanoparticles (SMALPs) arise from amphipathic styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymer encapsulation of membranes into polymer-lipid nanodiscs, structures applied in the native extraction of membrane proteins (MPs). Strategies to immobilize SMALPs via their polymer belt onto surfaces allow the biophysical study of MPs without direct protein-surface anchoring. In this work, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is used to synthesize a library of diblock SMA copolymers to determine the optimal sequence for SMALP assembly. The further ability of trithiocarbonates (T) and attached (Z)-end-groups, generated by RAFT polymerization, to tether SMALPs to gold surfaces via sulfur-gold bonds is evaluated. Improved DMPC liposome solubilization is achieved with a hydrophilic (Z)-end-group, shorter polystyrene block and lower molecular weight for diblock R-(Sty)-b-(Sty-alt-MA)-T-Z polymers. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that diblock SMA polymers bound to gold as a micellular film, irrespective of the presence of the trithiocarbonate group. SMALPs, however, showed an enhanced gold affinity when terminated by a trithiocarbonate and hydrophilic RAFT (Z)-end-group compared to end-group removed SMALPs, the latter exhibiting nonspecific gold adhesion. These findings offer a new approach in utilizing RAFT end-groups of nanodisc assembling polymers for label-free analysis of MPs.

Tunable Terpolymer Series for the Systematic Investigation of Membrane Proteins

Membrane proteins (MPs) are critical to cellular processes and serve as essential therapeutic targets. However, their isolation and characterization are often impeded by traditional detergent-based methods, which can compromise their native states, and retention of their native lipid environment. Amphiphilic polymers have emerged as effective alternatives, enabling the formation of nanoscale discs that preserve MPs' structural and functional integrity. We introduce a novel series of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid-co-(N-benzyl)maleimide) (BzAM) terpolymers with tunable amphiphilicity, synthesized through controlled polymerization. Designed to mimic and improve upon industry-standard poly(styrene-co-maleic acid), these well-defined terpolymers offer enhanced control over molecular weight and distribution, allowing for systematic evaluation of polymer properties and their effect on membrane solubilization. The BzAM series effectively solubilized membranes and demonstrated a direct correlation between polymer hydrophobicity and solubilization efficiency of bacterial ABC transporter, Sav1866. This research highlights the importance of rational polymer design in MP research and provides a foundation for future developments.

Lipid vesicle formation by encapsulation of SMALPs in surfactant-stabilised droplets

Understanding the intricate functions of membrane proteins is pivotal in cell biology and drug discovery. The composition of the cell membrane is highly complex, with different types of membrane proteins and lipid species. Hence, studying cellular membranes in a complexity-reduced context is important to enhance our understanding of the roles of these different elements. However, reconstitution of membrane proteins in an environment that closely mimics the cell, like giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), remains challenging, often requiring detergents that compromise protein function. To address this challenge, we present a novel strategy to manufacture GUVs from styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) that utilises surfactant-stabilised droplets as a template. As a first step towards the incorporation of membrane proteins, this work focusses on the conversion of pure lipid SMALPs in GUVs. To evaluate the method, we produced a new form of SMA linked to fluorescein, referred to as FSMA. We demonstrate the assembly of SMALPs at the surfactant-stabilised droplet interface, resulting in the formation of GUVs when released upon addition of a demulsifying agent. The released vesicles appear similar to electroformed vesicles imaged with confocal light microscopy, but a fluorescein leakage assay and cryo-TEM imaging reveal their porous nature, potentially as a result of residual interactions of SMA with the lipid bilayer. Our study represents a significant step towards opening new avenues for comprehensive protein research in a complexity-reduced, yet biologically relevant, setting.

Neuronal Membrane-Derived Nanodiscs for Broad-Spectrum Neurotoxin Detoxification

Neurotoxins pose significant challenges in defense and healthcare due to their disruptive effects on nervous tissues. Their extreme potency and enormous structural diversity have hindered the development of effective antidotes. Motivated by the properties of cell membrane-derived nanodiscs, such as their ultrasmall size, disc shape, and inherent cell membrane functions, here, we develop neuronal membrane-derived nanodiscs (denoted "Neuron-NDs") as a countermeasure nanomedicine for broad-spectrum neurotoxin detoxification. We fabricate Neuron-NDs using the plasma membrane of human SH-SY5Y neurons and demonstrate their effectiveness in detoxifying tetrodotoxin (TTX) and botulinum toxin (BoNT), two model toxins with distinct mechanisms of action. Cell-based assays confirm the ability of Neuron-NDs to inhibit TTX-induced ion channel blockage and BoNT-mediated inhibition of synaptic vesicle recycling. In mouse models of TTX and BoNT intoxication, treatment with Neuron-NDs effectively improves survival rates in both therapeutic and preventative settings. Importantly, high-dose administration of Neuron-NDs shows no observable acute toxicity in mice, indicating its safety profile. Overall, our study highlights the facile fabrication of Neuron-NDs and their broad-spectrum detoxification capabilities, offering promising solutions for neurotoxin-related challenges in biodefense and therapeutic applications.

Factors influencing the detergent-free membrane protein isolation using synthetic nanodisc-forming polymers

The detergent-free isolation of membrane proteins using synthetic polymers is becoming the desired approach for functional and structural studies of membrane proteins. Since the expression levels for many membrane proteins are low and a high yield of functionalized reconstituted membrane proteins is essential for in vitro studies, it is crucial to optimize the experimental conditions for a given polymer to solubilize target membranes/proteins effectively. The factors that affect membrane solubilization and subsequently the isolation of a target membrane protein include polymer concentration, polymer charge, temperature, pH, and concentration of divalent metal ions. Therefore, it is important to have knowledge about the efficacy of different types of polymers in solubilizing cell membranes. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of inulin-based non-ionic polymers in solubilizing E. coli membranes enriched with rat flavin mononucleotide binding-domain (FBD) of cytochrome-P450-reductase (CPR) and rabbit cytochrome-b5 (Cyt-b5) under various solubilization conditions. Our results show that a 1:1 (w/w) membrane:polymer ratio, low temperature, high pH and sub-millimolar concentration of metal ions favor the solubilization of E. coli membranes enriched with FBD or Cyt-b5. Conversely, the presence of excess divalent metal ions affected the final protein levels in the polymer-solubilized samples. We believe that the results from this study provide knowledge to assess and plan the use of non-ionic polymers in membrane protein studies.

Encapsulation of propolis extracts in aqueous formulations by using nanovesicles of lipid and poly(styrene-alt-maleic acid)

Bee propolis has been used in alternative medicine to treat various diseases. Due to its limited water solubility, it is often used in combination with alcohol solvents, causing skin irritation and immune response. To solve this, the new drug delivery system, based on the lipid nanodiscs of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphochline (DMPC) and poly(styrene-alt-maleic acid) (PSMA), were created in an aqueous media. At the excess polymer concentrations, the PSMA/DMPC complexation produced the very fine nanoparticles (18 nm). With the increased molar ratio of styrene to maleic acid (St/MA) in the copolymer structure, the lipid nanodisc showed the improved encapsulation efficiency (EE%), comparing to their corresponding aqueous formulations. The maximum value had reached to around 20% when using the 2:1 PSMA precursor. Based on the cytotoxicity test, these nanoparticles were considered to be non-toxic over the low dose administration region (<78 µg/mL). Instead, they possessed the ability to promote the Vero cell growth. The new PSMA/DMPC nanovesicles could thus be used to improve aqueous solubility and therapeutic effects of poorly water-soluble drugs, thus extending their use in modern therapies.

The effect of polymer end-group on the formation of styrene - maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs)

A series of block copolymers comprising styrene and maleic acid (SMA) has been prepared using RAFT polymerisation. RAFT often results in a large hydrophobic alkylthiocarbonylthio end group and this work examines its effect on the solution behaviour of the copolymers. SMA variants with, and without, this end group were synthesised and their behaviour compared with a commercially-available random copolymer of similar molecular weight. Dynamic light scattering and surface tension measurements found the RAFT-copolymers preferentially self-assembled into higher-order aggregates in aqueous solution. Small angle neutron scattering using deuterated styrene varients add support to the accepted model that these agreggates comprise a solvent-protected styrenic core with an acid-rich shell. Replacing the hydrophobic RAFT end group with a more hydrophilic nitrile caused differences in the resulting surface activity, attributed to the ability of the adjoining styrene homoblock to drive aggregation. Each of the copolymers formed SMALP nanodiscs with DMPC lipids, which were found to encapsulate a model membrane protein, gramicidin. However, end group variation affected solubilisition of DPPC, a lipid with a higher phase transition temperature. When using RAFT-copolymers terminated with a hydrophobic group, swelling of the bilayer and greater penetration of the homoblock into the nanodisc core occurred with increasing homoblock length. Conversely, commercial and nitrile-terminated RAFT-copolymers produced nanodisc sizes that stayed constant, instead indicating interaction at the edge of the lipid patch. The results highlight how even minor changes to the copolymer can modify the amphiphilic balance between regions, knowledge useful towards optimising copolymer structure to enhance and control nanodisc formation.

Sulfonated polystyrenes: pH and Mg2+-insensitive amphiphilic copolymers for detergent-free membrane protein isolation

Amphiphilic polymers are increasingly applied in the detergent-free isolation and functional studies of membrane proteins. However, the carboxylate group present in the structure of many popular variants, such as styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers, brings limitations in terms of polymer sensitivity to precipitation at acidic pH or in the presence of divalent metal cations. Herein, we addressed this problem by replacing carboxylate with the more acidic sulfonate groups. To this end, we synthesized a library of amphiphilic poly[styrene-co-(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)] copolymers (termed SSS), differing in their molecular weight and overall polarity. Using model cell membranes (Jurkat), we identified two copolymer compositions (SSS-L30 and SSS-L36) that solubilized membranes to an extent similar to SMA. Interestingly, the density gradient ultracentrifugation/SDS-PAGE/Western blotting analysis of cell lysates revealed a distribution of studied membrane proteins in the gradient fractions that was different than for SMA-solubilized membranes. Importantly, unlike SMA, the SSS copolymers remained soluble at low pH and in the presence of Mg2+ ions. Additionally, the solubilization of DMPC liposomes by the lead materials was studied by turbidimetry, DLS, SEC, and high-resolution NMR, revealing, for SSS-L36, the formation of stable particles (nanodiscs), facilitated by the direct hydrophobic interaction of the copolymer phenyls with lipid acyl chains.

Membrane interaction and selectivity of novel alternating cationic lipid-nanodisc assembling polymers

Synthetic polymer nanodiscs are self-assembled structures formed from amphipathic copolymers encapsulating membrane proteins and surrounding phospholipids into water soluble discs. These nanostructures have served as an analytical tool for the detergent free solubilisation and structural study of membrane proteins (MPs) in their native lipid environment. We established the polymer-lipid nanodisc forming ability of a novel class of amphipathic copolymer comprised of an alternating sequence of N-alkyl functionalised maleimide (AlkylM) of systematically varied hydrocarbon chain length, and cationic N-methyl-4-vinyl pyridinium iodide (MVP). Using a combination of physicochemical techniques, the solubilisation efficiency, size, structure and shape of DMPC lipid containing poly(MVP-co-AlkylM) nanodiscs were determined. Lipid solubilisation increased with AlkylM hydrocarbon chain length from methyl (MM), ethyl (EtM), n-propyl (PM), iso-butyl (IBM) through to n-butyl (BM) maleimide bearing polymers. More hydrophobic derivatives formed smaller sized nanodiscs and lipid ordering within poly(MVP-co-AlkylM) nanodiscs was affected by nanodisc size. In dye-release assays, shorter N-alkyl substituted polymers, particularly poly(MVP-co-EtM), exhibited low activities against eukaryotic mimetic POPC membrane and increased their liposome disruption as POPC : POPG membrane mixtures increased in their anionic POPG component, resembling the charge profile of bacterial membranes. These trends in membrane selectivity were transferred towards native cell systems in which gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Acenobacter baumannii bacterial strains were relatively susceptible to disruption by hydrophobic n-butyl- and n-propyl-poly(MVP-co-AlkylM) derivatives compared to human red blood cells (HRBCs), with a more pronounced selectivity resulting from poly(MVP-co-PM). Such selective membrane interaction by less hydrophobic polymers provides a framework for polymer design towards applications including selective membrane component solubilisation, biosensing and antimicrobial development.

SMALPs Are Not Simply Nanodiscs: The Polymer-to-Lipid Ratios of Fractionated SMALPs Underline Their Heterogeneous Nature

Amphipathic styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers directly solubilize biomembranes into SMA-lipid particles, or SMALPs, that are often regarded as nanodiscs and hailed as a native membrane platform. The promising outlook of SMALPs inspires the discovery of many SMA-like copolymers that also solubilize biomembranes into putative nanodiscs, but a fundamental question remains on how much the SMALPs or SMALP analogues truly resemble the bilayer structure of nanodiscs. This unfortunate ambiguity undermines the utility of SMA or SMA-like copolymers in membrane biology because the structure and function of many membrane proteins depend critically on their surrounding matrices. Here, we report the structural heterogeneity of SMALPs revealed through fractionating SMALPs comprised of lipids and well-defined SMAs via size-exclusion chromatography followed by quantitative determination of the polymer-to-lipid (P/L) stoichiometric ratios in individual fractions. Through the lens of P/L stoichiometric ratios, different self-assembled polymer-lipid nanostructures are inferred, such as polymer-remodeled liposomes, polymer-encased nanodiscs, polymer-lipid mixed micelles, and lipid-doped polymer micellar aggregates. We attribute the structural heterogeneity of SMALPs to the microstructure variations amongst individual polymer chains that give rise to their polydisperse detergency. As an example, we demonstrate that SMAs with a similar S/MA ratio but different chain sizes participate preferentially in different polymer-lipid nanostructures. We further demonstrate that proteorhodopsin, a light-driven proton pump solubilized within the same SMALPs is distributed amongst different self-assembled nanostructures to display different photocycle kinetics. Our discovery challenges the native nanodisc notion of SMALPs or SMALP analogues and highlights the necessity to separate and identify the structurally dissimilar polymer-lipid particles in membrane biology studies.

Structural Insights into Polymer-Bounded Lipid Nanodiscs

Membrane proteins are an essential part of signaling and transport processes and are targeted by multiple drugs. To isolate and investigate them in their native state, polymer-bounded nanodiscs have become valuable tools. In this study, we investigate the lipid model system dimyristoyl-phosphocholine (DMPC) with the nanodisc-forming copolymers styrene maleic acid (SMA) and diisobutylene maleic acid (DIBMA). Using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), we studied the influence of polymer concentration and temperature on the nanodisc structure. In Tris buffer, the size of nanodiscs formed with SMA is smaller compared to DIBMA at the same polymer ratio. In both cases, the size decreases monotonically with increasing polymer concentration, and this effect is more pronounced when using SMA. Measurements at temperatures (T) between 5 and 30 °C in phosphate buffer showed an incomplete solubilization at high T even at polymer/lipid ratios above that required for complete lipid solubilization. For DIBMA, the nanodiscs developed at lower temperatures are stable and the net repulsion increases, while for SMA, the individual nanodiscs possess smaller sizes and are less affected by T. However, using DLS, one can observe SMA agglomerates at low T. Interestingly, for both polymers, no drastic changes of the observable parameters (radius and bilayer thickness) are seen upon cooling, which would indicate a sharp (first-order) phase transition from liquid-crystalline to gel, but only gradual changes. Hence, we conclude that the transition from a gel toward a liquid-crystalline lipid phase proceeds over a broad T-range compared to a continuous lipid bilayer. These results can pave the way toward the development of better protocols for studying membrane proteins stabilized in this type of membrane mimics.

Tailoring Butyl Methacrylate/Methacrylic Acid Copolymers for the Solubilization of Membrane Proteins: The Influence of Composition and Molecular Weight

Low-molecular weight (MW) amphiphilic copolymers have been recently introduced as a powerful tool for the detergent-free isolation of cell membrane proteins. Herein, we use a screening approach to identify a new copolymer type for this application. Via a two-step ATRP/acidolysis procedure, we prepare a 3×3 matrix of well-defined poly[(butyl methacrylate)-co-(methacrylic acid)] copolymers (denoted BMAA) differing in their MW and ratio of hydrophobic (BMA) and hydrophilic (MAA) units. Subsequently, using the biologically relevant model (T-cell line Jurkat), we identify two compositions of BMAA copolymers that solubilize cell membranes to an extent comparable to the industry standard, styrene-maleic acid copolymer (SMA), while avoiding the potentially problematic phenyl groups. Surprisingly, while only the lowest-MW variant of the BMA/MAA 2:1 composition is effective, all the copolymers of the BMA/MAA 1:1 composition are found to solubilize the model membranes, including the high-MW variant (MW of 14 000). Importantly, the density gradient ultracentrifugation/SDS PAGE/Western blotting experiments reveal that the BMA/MAA 1:1 copolymers disintegrate the Jurkat membranes differently than SMA, as demonstrated by the different distribution patterns of two tested membrane protein markers. This makes the BMAA copolymers a useful tool for studies on membrane microdomains differing in their composition and resistance to membrane-disintegrating polymers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Fluorescent styrene maleic acid copolymers to facilitate membrane protein studies in lipid nanodiscs

Fluorescently-labelled variants of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid), SMA, have been synthesised by RAFT copolymerisation. We show that low ratios of vinyl fluorophores, analogous to styrene, can be successfully incorporated during polymerisation without detriment to nanodisc formation upon interaction with lipids. These novel copolymers are capable of encapuslating lipids and the model membrane protein, gramicidin, and hence have the potential to be applied in fluorescence-based biological studies. To demonstrate this, energy transfer is used to probe polymer-protein interactions in nanodiscs. The copolymers may also be used to monitor nanodisc self assembly by exploiting aggregation-caused-quenching (ACQ).

The interaction of styrene maleic acid copolymers with phospholipids in Langmuir monolayers, vesicles and nanodiscs; a structural study

HYPOTHESIS

Self-assembly of amphipathic styrene maleic acid copolymers with phospholipids in aqueous solution results in the formation of 'nanodiscs' containing a planar segment of phospholipid bilayer encapsulated by a polymer belt. Recently, studies have reported that lipids rapidly exchange between both nanodiscs in solution and external sources of lipids. Outstanding questions remain regarding details of polymer-lipid interactions, factors influencing lipid exchange and structural effects of such exchange processes. Here, the dynamic behaviour of nanodiscs is investigated, specifically the role of membrane charge and polymer chemistry.

EXPERIMENTS

Two model systems are investigated: fluorescently labelled phospholipid vesicles, and Langmuir monolayers of phospholipids. Using fluorescence spectroscopy and time-resolved neutron reflectometry, the membrane potential, monolayer structure and composition are monitored with respect to time upon polymer and nanodisc interactions.

FINDINGS

In the presence of external lipids, polymer chains embed throughout lipid membranes, the extent of which is governed by the net membrane charge. Nanodiscs stabilised by three different polymers will all exchange lipids and polymer with monolayers to differing extents, related to the properties of the stabilising polymer belt. These results demonstrate the dynamic nature of nanodiscs which interact with the local environment and are likely to deposit both lipids and polymer at all stages of use.

Membrane extraction with styrene-maleic acid copolymer results in insulin receptor autophosphorylation in the absence of ligand

Extraction of integral membrane proteins with poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) provides a promising alternative to detergent extraction. A major advantage of extraction using copolymers rather than detergent is the retention of the lipid bilayer around the proteins. Here we report the first functional investigation of the mammalian insulin receptor which was extracted from cell membranes using poly(styrene-co-maleic acid). We found that the copolymer efficiently extracted the insulin receptor from 3T3L1 fibroblast membranes. Surprisingly, activation of the insulin receptor and proximal downstream signalling was detected upon copolymer extraction even in the absence of insulin stimulation. Insulin receptor and IRS1 phosphorylations were above levels measured in the control extracts made with detergents. However, more distal signalling events in the insulin signalling cascade, such as the phosphorylation of Akt were not observed. Following copolymer extraction, in vitro addition of insulin had no further effect on insulin receptor or IRS1 phosphorylation. Therefore, under our experimental conditions, the insulin receptor is not functionally responsive to insulin. This study is the first to investigate receptor tyrosine kinases extracted from mammalian cells using a styrene-maleic acid copolymer and highlights the importance of thorough functional characterisation when using this method of protein extraction.

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Library of Alternating Amphipathic Copolymers to Solubilize and Study Membrane Proteins

Amphipathic copolymers such as poly(styrene-maleic acid) (SMA) are promising tools for the facile extraction of membrane proteins (MPs) into native nanodiscs. Here, we designed and synthesized a library of well-defined alternating copolymers of SMA analogues in order to elucidate polymer properties that are important for MP solubilization and stability. MP extraction efficiency was determined using KcsA from E. coli membranes, and general solubilization efficiency was investigated via turbidimetry experiments on membranes of E. coli, yeast mitochondria, and synthetic lipids. Remarkably, halogenation of SMA copolymers dramatically improved solubilization efficiency in all systems, while substituents on the copolymer backbone improved resistance to Ca²⁺. Relevant polymer properties were found to include hydrophobic balance, size and positioning of substituents, rigidity, and electronic effects. The library thus contributes to the rational design of copolymers for the study of MPs.

Ab initio reconstruction of small angle scattering data for membrane proteins in copolymer nanodiscs

Background

Small angle scattering techniques are beginning to be more widely utilised for structural analysis of biological systems. However, applying these techniques to study membrane proteins still remains problematic, due to sample preparation requirements and analysis of the resulting data. The development of styrene-maleic acid co-polymers (SMA) to extract membrane proteins into nanodiscs for further study provides a suitable environment for structural analysis.

Methods

We use small angle neutron scattering (SANS) with three different contrasts to determine structural information for two different polymer nanodisc-incorporated proteins, Outer membrane protein F (OmpF) and gramicidin. Ab initio modelling was applied to generate protein/lipid structures from the SANS data. Other complementary structural methodologies, such as DLS, CD and TEM were compared alongside this data with known protein crystal structures.

Results

A single-phase model was constructed for gramicidin-containing nanodiscs, which showed dimer formation in the centre of the nanodisc. For OmpF-nanodiscs we were able to construct a multi-phase model, providing structural information on the protein/lipid and polymer components of the sample.

Conclusions

Polymer-nanodiscs can provide a suitable platform to investigate certain membrane proteins using SANS, alongside other structural methodologies. However, differences between the published crystal structure and OmpF-nanodiscs were observed, suggesting the nanodisc structure could be altering the folding of the protein.

General significance

Small angle scattering techniques can provide structural information on the protein and polymer nanodisc without requiring crystallisation of the protein. Additional complementary techniques, such as ab initio modelling, can generate alternative models both the protein and nanodisc system.

Biophysical characterisation of SMALPs

Membrane proteins such as receptors, ion channels and transport proteins are important drug targets. The structure-based study of membrane proteins is challenging, especially when the target protein contains both soluble and insoluble domains. Most membrane proteins are insoluble in aqueous solvent and embedded in the plasma membrane lipid bilayer, which significantly complicates biophysical studies. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and other polymer derivatives are increasingly common solubilisation agents, used to isolate membrane proteins stabilised in their native lipid environment in the total absence of detergent. Since the initial report of SMA-mediated solubilisation, and the formation of SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), this technique can directly isolate therapeutic targets from biological membranes, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). SMA now allows biophysical and structural analyses of membrane proteins in solution that was not previously possible. Here, we critically review several existing biophysical techniques compatible with SMALPs, with a focus on hydrodynamic analysis, microcalorimetric analysis and optical spectroscopic techniques.

Styrene-maleic acid copolymer effects on the function of the GPCR rhodopsin in lipid nanoparticles

Styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers solubilize biological membranes to form lipid nanoparticles (SMALPs) that contain membrane proteins surrounded by native lipids, thus enabling the use of a variety of biophysical techniques for structural and functional studies. The question of whether SMALPs provide a truly natural environment or SMA solubilization affects the functional properties of membrane proteins, however, remains open. We address this question by comparing the photoactivation kinetics of rhodopsin, a G-protein-coupled receptor in the disk membranes of rod cells, in native membrane and SMALPs prepared at different molar ratios between SMA(3:1) and rhodopsin. Time-resolved absorption spectroscopy combined with complex kinetic analysis reveals kinetic and mechanistic differences between the native membrane and SMA-stabilized environment. The results suggest a range of molar ratios for nanoparticles suitable for kinetic studies.

Polymer Nanodiscs and Their Bioanalytical Potential

Membrane proteins (MPs) play a pivotal role in cellular function and are therefore predominant pharmaceutical targets. Although detailed understanding of MP structure and mechanistic activity is invaluable for rational drug design, challenges are associated with the purification and study of MPs. This review delves into the historical developments that became the prelude to currently available membrane mimetic technologies before shining a spotlight on polymer nanodiscs. These are soluble nanosized particles capable of encompassing MPs embedded in a phospholipid ring. The expanding range of reported amphipathic polymer nanodisc materials is presented and discussed in terms of their tolerance to different solution conditions and their nanodisc properties. Finally, the analytical scope of polymer nanodiscs is considered in both the demonstration of basic nanodisc parameters as well as in the elucidation of structures, lipid-protein interactions, and the functional mechanisms of reconstituted membrane proteins. The final emphasis is given to the unique benefits and applications demonstrated for native nanodiscs accessed through a detergent free process.

Differences in SMA-like polymer architecture dictate the conformational changes exhibited by the membrane protein rhodopsin encapsulated in lipid nano-particles

Membrane proteins are of fundamental importance to cellular processes and nano-encapsulation strategies that preserve their native lipid bilayer environment are particularly attractive for studying and exploiting these proteins. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and related polymers poly(styrene-co-(N-(3-N',N'-dimethylaminopropyl)maleimide)) (SMI) and poly(diisobutylene-alt-maleic acid) (DIBMA) have revolutionised the study of membrane proteins by spontaneously solubilising membrane proteins direct from cell membranes within nanoscale discs of native bilayer called SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), SMILPs and DIBMALPs respectively. This systematic study shows for the first time, that conformational changes of the encapsulated protein are dictated by the solubilising polymer. The photoactivation pathway of rhodopsin (Rho), a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), comprises structurally-defined intermediates with characteristic absorbance spectra that revealed conformational restrictions with styrene-containing SMA and SMI, so that photoactivation proceeded only as far as metarhodopsin-I, absorbing at 478 nm, in a SMALP or SMILP. In contrast, full attainment of metarhodopsin-II, absorbing at 382 nm, was observed in a DIBMALP. Consequently, different intermediate states of Rho could be generated readily by simply employing different SMA-like polymers. Dynamic light-scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation revealed differences in size and thermostability between SMALP, SMILP and DIBMALP. Moreover, encapsulated Rho exhibited different stability in a SMALP, SMILP or DIBMALP. Overall, we establish that SMA, SMI and DIBMA constitute a 'toolkit' of solubilising polymers, so that selection of the appropriate solubilising polymer provides a spectrum of useful attributes for studying membrane proteins.

Biological insights from SMA-extracted proteins

In the twelve years since styrene maleic acid (SMA) was first used to extract and purify a membrane protein within a native lipid bilayer, this technological breakthrough has provided insight into the structural and functional details of protein–lipid interactions. Most recently, advances in cryo-EM have demonstrated that SMA-extracted membrane proteins are a rich-source of structural data. For example, it has been possible to resolve the details of annular lipids and protein–protein interactions within complexes, the nature of lipids within central cavities and binding pockets, regions involved in stabilising multimers, details of terminal residues that would otherwise remain unresolved and the identification of physiologically relevant states. Functionally, SMA extraction has allowed the analysis of membrane proteins that are unstable in detergents, the characterization of an ultrafast component in the kinetics of electron transfer that was not possible in detergent-solubilised samples and quantitative, real-time measurement of binding assays with low concentrations of purified protein. While the use of SMA comes with limitations such as its sensitivity to low pH and divalent cations, its major advantage is maintenance of a protein's lipid bilayer. This has enabled researchers to view and assay proteins in an environment close to their native ones, leading to new structural and mechanistic insights.

Application of the SMALP technology to the isolation of GPCRs from low-yielding cell lines

The ability of styrene-maleic acid (SMAc) co-polymers to spontaneously insert into biological membranes can be exploited to extract G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) embedded in styrene-maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs), preserving the native environment around the protein and thus enhancing the feasibility of functional studies. So far, the SMALP technology has been primarily employed on non-mammalian cells and protocols are not optimized for adherent human cell lines, which cannot be harvested in large amounts. In this work, a fine investigation of key parameters affecting the formation of SMALPs was undertaken with the purpose of maximizing the yield of extraction of a recombinant form of human β₂-adrenergic receptor (rhβ₂AR) from HEK293T cells. The study highlighted an important influence of ionic strength on the membrane solubilization efficiency and GPCR purification yield of SMAc co-polymers: by lowering the salt concentration of all buffers used in previously published SMALP protocols, the water solubility and extraction efficiency of the selected SMAc co-polymer (commercially supplied as a potassium salt) were enhanced. In-line combination of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) allowed further improvement of the final rhβ₂AR yield by reducing the loss of SMALP-embedded GPCRs during the fractionation and purification of SMALPs. The overall findings of this study show that the available SMALP protocols can be significantly optimized in several aspects in order to increase the efficiency of GPCR solubilization and isolation from low-yielding expression systems.

Benchmarks of SMA-Copolymer Derivatives and Nanodisc Integrity

Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) or SMA and its derivatives, a family of synthetic amphipathic copolymers, are increasingly used to directly solubilize cell membranes to functionally reconstitute membrane proteins in native-like copolymer-lipid nanodiscs. Although these copolymers act, de facto, like a "macromolecular detergent", the polymer-based lipid-nanodiscs has been demonstrated to be an excellent membrane mimetic for structural and functional studies of membrane proteins and their complexes by a variety of biophysical and biochemical approaches. In many studies reported in the literature, the choice of the right SMA formulation can depend on a number of factors, and the experimental conditions are typically developed according to a trial-and-error process since each studied system requires adapted protocols. While increasing number of nanodisc-forming copolymers are reported to be useful and they provide flexibilities in optimizing the sample preparation conditions, it is important to develop a systematic protocol that can be used for various applications. In this context, there is a vital necessity of benchmarking the performances of existing copolymer formulations, assessing crucial parameters for the successful extraction, isolation, and stabilization of membrane proteins. In this study, we compare both copolymers and copolymer-lipid nanodiscs obtained by SMA-EA with a set of anionic XIRAN copolymer formulations commercially available under the names of SL25010 P, SL30010 P, and SL40005 P. The reported results show how the critical micellar concentration (c.m.c.) of each copolymer is significantly altered in the presence of lipids and confirms the existence of an equilibrium between nanodisc-bound and "free" or "micellar" copolymer chains in the solution. We believe that these findings can be exploited to optimize studies that involve the necessity of special copolymers, which would not only simplify the applications but also broaden the scope of polymer-based nanodiscs.

Aescin - a natural soap for the formation of lipid nanodiscs with tunable size

The saponin β-aescin from the seed extract of the horse chestnut tree Aesculus hippocastanum has demonstrated a beneficial role in clinical therapy which is in part related to its strong interaction with biological membranes. In this context the present work investigates the self-assembly of nm-sized discoidal lipid nanoparticles composed of β-aescin and the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC). The discoidal lipid nanoparticles reassemble from small discs into larger discs, ribbons and finally stacks of sheets upon heating from gel-phase to fluid phase DMPC. The morphological transition of the lipid nano-particles is mainly triggered by the phospholipid phase state change. The final morphology depends on the phospholipid-to-saponin ratio and the actual temperature. The study is conducted by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission (TEM) and freeze fracture electron microscopy (FFEM) are used to cover larger length scales. Two different models, representing a disc and ribbon-like shape are applied to the SAXS data, evaluating possible geometries and molecular mixing of the nano-particles. The stacked sheets are analysed by the Caillé theory.

Influence of DIBMA Polymer Length on Lipid Nanodisc Formation and Membrane Protein Extraction

Polymer-based lipid nanoparticles like styrene-maleic acid lipid particles have revolutionized the study of membrane proteins. More recently, alternative polymers such as poly(diisobutylene-alt-maleic acid) (DIBMA) have been used in this field. DIBMA is commonly synthesized via conventional radical copolymerization. In order to study the influence of its chain length on lipid nanodisc formation and membrane protein extraction, we synthesized DIBMA with molar masses varying from 1.2-12 kDa via RAFT-mediated polymerization. For molar masses in the range of 3-7 kDa, the rate of lipid nanodisc formation was the highest and similar to those of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and commercially available DIBMA. ZipA solubilization efficiency was significantly higher than for commercially available DIBMA and similar to SMA (circa 75%). Furthermore, RAFT-made DIBMA with a molar mass of 1.2-3.9 kDa showed a much cleaner separation on SDS-PAGE, without the smearing that is typically seen for SMA and commercially available DIBMA.

Polymer-Encased Nanodiscs and Polymer Nanodiscs: New Platforms for Membrane Protein Research and Applications

Membrane proteins (MPs) are essential to many organisms’ major functions. They are notorious for being difficult to isolate and study, and mimicking native conditions for studies in vitro has proved to be a challenge. Lipid nanodiscs are among the most promising platforms for MP reconstitution, but they contain a relatively labile lipid bilayer and their use requires previous protein solubilization in detergent. These limitations have led to the testing of copolymers in new types of nanodisc platforms. Polymer-encased nanodiscs and polymer nanodiscs support functional MPs and address some of the limitations present in other MP reconstitution platforms. In this review, we provide a summary of recent developments in the use of polymers in nanodiscs.

Development of Styrene Maleic Acid Lipid Particles as a Tool for Studies of Phage-Host Interactions

The infection of a bacterium by a phage starts with attachment to a receptor molecule on the host cell surface by the phage. Since receptor-phage interactions are crucial to successful infections, they are major determinants of phage host range and, by extension, of the broader effects that phages have on bacterial communities. Many receptor molecules, particularly membrane proteins, are difficult to isolate because their stability is supported by their native membrane environments. Styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs), a recent advance in membrane protein studies, are the result of membrane solubilizations by styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymer chains. SMALPs thereby allow for isolation of membrane proteins while maintaining their native environment. Here, we explore SMALPs as a tool to isolate and study phage-receptor interactions. We show that SMALPs produced from taxonomically distant bacterial membranes allow for receptor-specific decrease of viable phage counts of several model phages that span the three largest phage families. After characterizing the effects of incubation time and SMALP concentration on the activity of three distinct phages, we present evidence that the interaction between two model phages and SMALPs is specific to bacterial species and the phage receptor molecule. These interactions additionally lead to DNA ejection by nearly all particles at high phage titers. We conclude that SMALPs are a potentially highly useful tool for phage-host interaction studies.IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria or phages) impact every microbial community. All phage infections start with the binding of the viral particle to a specific receptor molecule on the host cell surface. Due to its importance in phage infections, this first step is of interest to many phage-related research and applications. However, many phage receptors are difficult to isolate. Styrene maleic acid lipid particles (SMALPs) are a recently developed approach to isolate membrane proteins in their native environment. In this study, we explore SMALPs as a tool to study phage-receptor interactions. We find that different phage species bind to SMALPs, while maintaining specificity to their receptor. We then characterize the time and concentration dependence of phage-SMALP interactions and furthermore show that they lead to genome ejection by the phage. The results presented here show that SMALPs are a useful tool for future studies of phage-receptor interactions.

Bilayer-Templated Two-Dimensional RAFT Polymerization for Directed Assembly of Polymer Nanostructures

Co-localization of monomers, crosslinkers, and chain-transfer agents (CTA) within self-assembled bilayers in an aqueous suspension enabled the successful directed assembly of nanocapsules using a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process without compromising the polymerization kinetics. This study uncovered substantial influence of the organized medium on the course of the reaction, including differential reactivity based on placement and mobility of monomers, crosslinkers, and CTAs within the bilayer.

Releasing the technical 'shackles' on GPCR drug discovery: opportunities enabled by detergent-free polymer lipid particle (PoLiPa) purification

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drug research is presently hindered by the technical challenges associated with generating purified receptors. Consequently, the application of critical modern discovery technologies has been limited, and the vast untapped opportunity for new GPCR-directed medicines is not being realised. A simple but transformative solution is to purify receptors without removing them from their native phospholipid environment by using polymer lipid particle (PoLiPa) technology, with reagents such as styrene-maleic acid co-polymer (SMA). Compared with contemporary detergent-based and stabilising mutagenesis methods, the PoLiPa approach is simple and generic and, therefore, offers huge advantages, with the potential to revolutionise GPCR research by facilitating the availability of the purified receptors that are required for structural biology, biophysical, and panning technologies.

Extraction and reconstitution of membrane proteins into lipid nanodiscs encased by zwitterionic styrene-maleic amide copolymers

Membrane proteins can be reconstituted in polymer-encased nanodiscs for studies under near-physiological conditions and in the absence of detergents, but traditional styrene-maleic acid copolymers used for this purpose suffer severely from buffer incompatibilities. We have recently introduced zwitterionic styrene-maleic amide copolymers (zSMAs) to overcome this limitation. Here, we compared the extraction and reconstitution of membrane proteins into lipid nanodiscs by a series of zSMAs with different styrene:maleic amide molar ratios, chain sizes, and molecular weight distributions. These copolymers solubilize, stabilize, and support membrane proteins in nanodiscs with different efficiencies depending on both the structure of the copolymers and the membrane proteins.

Single molecule binding of a ligand to a G-protein-coupled receptor in real time using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, rendered possible by nano-encapsulation in styrene maleic acid lipid particles

The fundamental importance of membrane proteins in cellular processes has driven a marked increase in the use of membrane mimetic approaches for studying and exploiting these proteins. Nano-encapsulation strategies which preserve the native lipid bilayer environment are particularly attractive. Consequently, the use of poly(styrene co-maleic acid) (SMA) has been widely adopted to solubilise proteins directly from cell membranes by spontaneously forming "SMA Lipid Particles" (SMALPs). G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are ubiquitous "chemical switches", are central to cell signalling throughout the evolutionary tree, form the largest family of membrane proteins in humans and are a major drug discovery target. GPCR-SMALPs that retain binding capability would be a versatile platform for a wide range of down-stream applications. Here, using the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) as an archetypical GPCR, we show for the first time the utility of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to characterise the binding capability of GPCRs following nano-encapsulation. Unbound fluorescent ligand CA200645 exhibited a monophasic autocorrelation curve (dwell time, τD = 68 ± 2 μs; diffusion coefficient, D = 287 ± 15 μm2 s-1). In the presence of A2AR-SMALP, bound ligand was also evident (τD = 625 ± 23 μs; D = 30 ± 4 μm2 s-1). Using a non-receptor control (ZipA-SMALP) plus competition binding confirmed that this slower component represented binding to the encapsulated A2AR. Consequently, the combination of GPCR-SMALP and FCS is an effective platform for the quantitative real-time characterisation of nano-encapsulated receptors, with single molecule sensitivity, that will have widespread utility for future exploitation of GPCR-SMALPs in general.

Adsorption of a styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymer-stabilized phospholipid nanodisc on a solid-supported planar lipid bilayer

Over recent years, there has been a rapid development of membrane-mimetic systems to encapsulate and stabilize planar segments of phospholipid bilayers in solution. One such system has been the use of amphipathic copolymers to solubilize lipid bilayers into nanodiscs. The attractiveness of this system, in part, stems from the capability of these polymers to solubilize membrane proteins directly from the host cell membrane. The assumption has been that the native lipid annulus remains intact, with nanodiscs providing a snapshot of the lipid environment. Recent studies have provided evidence that phospholipids can exchange from the nanodiscs with either lipids at interfaces, or with other nanodiscs in bulk solution. Here we investigate kinetics of lipid exchange between three recently studied polymer-stabilized nanodiscs and supported lipid bilayers at the silicon-water interface. We show that lipid and polymer exchange occurs in all nanodiscs tested, although the rate and extent differs between different nanodisc types. Furthermore, we observe adsorption of nanodiscs to the supported lipid bilayer for one nanodisc system which used a polymer made using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. These results have important implications in applications of polymer-stabilized nanodiscs, such as in the fabrication of solid-supported films containing membrane proteins.

Characterization of multimeric daptomycin bound to lipid nanodiscs formed by calcium-tolerant styrene-maleic acid copolymer

Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic that is important in the treatment of infections with Gram-positive bacteria. In the presence of calcium, daptomycin binds to phosphatidylglycerol in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane and then forms oligomers that mediate its bactericidal effect. The structure of these bactericidal oligomers has not been elucidated. We here explore the feasibility of structural studies on the oligomer by solution-state NMR. To this end, we use nanodiscs that contain DMPC and DMPG, stabilized with a styrene-maleic acid copolymer that has been modified to minimize calcium chelation. We show that these nanodiscs bind daptomycin and induce the formation of stable oligomers under physiologically relevant conditions. The findings suggest that this membrane model is suitable for structural and functional characterization of oligomeric daptomycin, and possibly of other calcium-dependent lipopeptide antibiotics. We show that these nanodiscs bind daptomycin and induce the formation of stable oligomers, under conditions that are suitable for biomolecular NMR. The findings suggest that this membrane model is suitable for structural elucidation of oligomeric daptomycin, and possibly of other calcium-dependent lipopeptide antibiotics.

Aescin-Induced Conversion of Gel-Phase Lipid Membranes into Bicelle-like Lipid Nanoparticles

Mixtures of the phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and the saponin β-aescin spontaneously form monodisperse, bilayered discoidal micelles (also known as "bicelles" or "nanodisks") in aqueous solution. Such bicelles form below the melting temperature of DMPC when the phospholipids are in the rigid L_β' state and are precursors of spontaneously formed vesicles. The aescin concentration must be far above the cmc_aescin (≈0.3-0.4 mM). It was found that the shape and size of the bicelles are tunable by composition. High amounts of aescin decrease the size of the bicelles from diameters of ∼300 Å at 7 mol % to ∼120 Å at 30 mol % β-aescin. The structures are scrutinized by complementary small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering experiments. The scattering curves are subsequently analyzed by a model-independent (indirect Fourier transform analysis) and a model-based approach where bicelles are described as polydisperse bilayer disks encircled by a β-aescin rim. Moreover, the monomodal distribution and low polydispersity of the samples were confirmed by photon correlation spectroscopy. The discoidal structures were visualized by transmission electron microscopy.

Selection of Biophysical Methods for Characterisation of Membrane Proteins

Over the years, there have been many developments and advances in the field of integral membrane protein research. As important pharmaceutical targets, it is paramount to understand the mechanisms of action that govern their structure-function relationships. However, the study of integral membrane proteins is still incredibly challenging, mostly due to their low expression and instability once extracted from the native biological membrane. Nevertheless, milligrams of pure, stable, and functional protein are always required for biochemical and structural studies. Many modern biophysical tools are available today that provide critical information regarding to the characterisation and behaviour of integral membrane proteins in solution. These biophysical approaches play an important role in both basic research and in early-stage drug discovery processes. In this review, it is not our objective to present a comprehensive list of all existing biophysical methods, but a selection of the most useful and easily applied to basic integral membrane protein research.

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry of membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs

Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (H/DX MS) provides a quantitative comparison of the relative rates of exchange of amide protons for solvent deuterons. In turn, the rate of amide exchange depends on a complex combination of the stability of local secondary structure, solvent accessibility, and dynamics. H/DX MS has, therefore, been widely used to probe structure and function of soluble proteins, but its application to membrane proteins was limited previously to detergent solubilized samples. The large excess of lipids from model membranes, or from membrane fractions derived from in vivo samples, presents challenges with mass spectrometry. The lipid nanodisc platform, consisting of apolipoprotein A-derived membrane scaffold proteins, provides a native like membrane environment in which to capture analyte membrane proteins with a well defined, and low, ratio of lipid to protein. Membrane proteins in lipid nanodiscs are amenable to H/DX MS, and this is expected to lead to a rapid increase in the number of membrane proteins subjected to this analysis. Here we review the few literature examples of the application of H/DX MS to membrane proteins in nanodiscs. The incremental improvements in the experimental workflow of the H/DX MS are described and potential applications of this approach to study membrane proteins are described.

Structural characterization of styrene-maleic acid copolymer-lipid nanoparticles (SMALPs) using EPR spectroscopy

Spectroscopic studies of membrane proteins (MPs) are challenging due to difficulties in preparing homogenous and functional lipid membrane mimetic systems into which membrane proteins can properly fold and function. It has recently been shown that styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers act as a macromolecular surfactant and therefore facilitate the formation of disk-shaped lipid bilayer nanoparticles (styrene-maleic acid copolymer-lipid nanoparticles (SMALPs)) that retain structural characteristics of native lipid membranes. We have previously reported controlled synthesis of SMA block copolymers using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and that alteration of the weight ratio of styrene to maleic acid affects nanoparticle size. RAFT-synthesis offers superior control over SMA polymer architecture compared to conventional radical polymerization techniques used for commercially available SMA. However, the interactions between the lipid bilayer and the solubilized RAFT-synthesized SMA polymer are currently not fully understood. In this study, EPR spectroscopy was used to detect the perturbation on the acyl chain upon introduction of the RAFT-synthesized SMA polymer by attaching PC-based nitroxide spin labels to the 5^th, 12^th, and 16^th positions along the acyl chain of the lipid bilayer. EPR spectra showed high rigidity at the 12^th position compared to the other two regions, displaying similar qualities to commercially available polymers synthesized via conventional methods. In addition, central EPR linewidths and correlation time data were obtained that are consistent with previous findings.

Molecular snapshots of dynamic membrane-bound metabolons

Numerous biosynthetic pathways have been shown to assemble at the surface of cellular membranes into efficient dynamic supramolecular assemblies termed metabolons. In response to environmental stimuli, metabolons assemble on-demand making them highly dynamic and fragile. This transient nature has previously hampered isolation and molecular characterization of dynamic metabolons. In contrast to conventional detergents, which tend to disrupt weak protein-protein interactions and remove lipids, the competence of a styrene maleic acid copolymer to carve out discrete lipid nanodisc from membranes offers immense potential for isolation of intact protein assemblies. Here, we present a method to extract the entire membrane-bound dhurrin pathway directly from microsomal fractions of the cereal Sorghum bicolor. This detergent-free nanodisc approach may be generally transposed for isolation of entire plant biosynthetic metabolons. This method provides a simple practical toolkit for the study of membrane protein complexes.

Structural Investigations of Protein-Lipid Complexes Using Neutron Scattering

Neutron scattering has significant benefits for examining the structure of protein-lipid complexes. Cold (slow) neutrons are nondamaging and predominantly interact with the atomic nucleus, meaning that neutron beams can penetrate deeply into samples, which allows for flexibility in the design of samples studied. Most importantly, there is a strong difference in neutron scattering length (i.e., scattering power) between protium ([Formula: see text], 99.98% natural abundance) and deuterium ([Formula: see text] or D, 0.015%). Through the mixing of H₂O and D₂O in the samples and in some cases the deuterium labeling of the biomolecules, components within a complex can be hidden or enhanced in the scattering signal. This enables both the overall structure and the relative distribution of components within a complex to be resolved. Lipid-protein complexes are most commonly studied using neutron reflectometry (NR) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). In this review the methodologies to produce and examine a variety of model biological membrane systems using SANS and NR are detailed. These systems include supported lipid bilayers derived from vesicle dispersions or Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, tethered bilayer systems, membrane protein-lipid complexes and polymer wrapped lipid nanodiscs. The three key stages of any SANS/NR study on model membrane systems-sample preparation, data collection, and analysis-are described together with some background on the techniques themselves.