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Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Genetically-encoded Molecular Probes to Study G Protein-coupled Receptors
Published on: September 13, 2013
Conformational antibody binding to a native, cell-free expressed GPCR in block copolymer membranes
Hans-Peter M de Hoog1, Esther M Lin JieRong1, Sourabh Banerjee1
1ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd, Research Techno Plaza XF-6, Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract:
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a key role in physiological processes and are attractive drug targets. Their biophysical characterization is, however, highly challenging because of their innate instability outside a stabilizing membrane and the difficulty of finding a suitable expression system. We here show the cell-free expression of a GPCR, CXCR4, and its direct embedding in diblock copolymer membranes. The polymer-stabilized CXCR4 is readily immobilized onto biosensor chips for label-free binding analysis. Kinetic characterization using a conformationally sensitive antibody shows the receptor to exist in the correctly folded conformation, showing binding behaviour that is commensurate with heterologously expressed CXCR4.
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