Dynamics of Apolipoprotein B-100 in Interaction with Detergent Probed by Incoherent Neutron Scattering

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100) is the protein moiety of both low- and very-low-density lipoproteins, whose role is crucial to cholesterol and triglyceride transport. Aiming at the molecular dynamics' details of apo B-100, scarcely studied, we performed elastic and quasi-elastic incoherent neutron scattering (EINS, QENS) experiments combining different instruments and time scales. Similar to classical membrane proteins, the solubilization results in remaining detergent, here Nonidet P-40 (NP40). Therefore, we propose a framework for QENS studies of protein-detergent complexes, with the introduction of a combined model, including the experimental apo B-100/NP40 ratio. Relying on the simultaneous analysis of all QENS amplitudes, this approach is sensitive enough to separate both contributions. Its application identified two points: (i) apo B-100 slow dynamics and (ii) the acceleration of NP40 dynamics in the presence of apo B-100. Direct translation of the exposed methodology now makes the investigation of more membrane proteins by neutron spectroscopy achievable.