Analysis of Protein and Lipid Interactions Using Liposome Co-sedimentation Assays

The dynamic assembly of proteins at the membrane interphase is key to many cell biological processes such as the generation and stabilization of caveolae at the cell surface via coat proteins. The liposome co-sedimentation assay has been widely used for studies of protein and lipid interactions and has provided important information about binding mechanisms, lipid-binding specificity, and curvature preference of proteins. Here, we describe this technique in detail and how it can be used as a tool to address the membrane-binding ability and lipid specificity of caveolae-associated proteins.