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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

High-throughput Crystallization of Membrane Proteins Using the Lipidic Bicelle Method

High-throughput Crystallization of Membrane Proteins Using the Lipidic Bicelle Method

Published on: January 9, 2012

Crystallizing membrane proteins using lipidic bicelles.

Rachna Ujwal¹, James U Bowie

¹Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570, United States.

Methods (San Diego, Calif.)

|October 11, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Bicelles, discoidal lipid-protein complexes, offer a powerful method for crystallizing membrane proteins that resist traditional techniques. This lipidic phase crystallization approach maintains protein function and facilitates structural studies.

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Area of Science:

Structural Biology
Biophysics
Membrane Protein Research

Background:

Crystallizing membrane proteins is difficult, especially for those resistant to detergent-based methods.
Lipidic phase crystallization offers an alternative for challenging protein targets.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the utility of bicelles for membrane protein crystallization.
To present bicelles as a viable alternative to traditional detergent-based methods.

Main Methods:

Utilizing bicelles, which are bilayer discs formed from phospholipids and amphiphiles.
Reconstituting membrane proteins into bicelles to mimic native environments.
Employing standard crystallization equipment for protein-bicelle mixtures.

Main Results:

Bicelles provide a native-like lipidic environment for membrane proteins.
Proteins reconstituted in bicelles remain functional under physiological conditions.
Successful crystallization of various membrane proteins, including bacteriorhodopsin and β2 adrenergic receptor, using bicelles.

Conclusions:

Bicelles are an effective medium for membrane protein crystallization.
The bicelle method is compatible with high-throughput screening and standard laboratory equipment.
Bicelles represent a valuable tool for membrane protein crystallographers.