UV immobilized phospholipid bilayers

Dinitrophenyl phosphotidylethanolamine-containing bilayers have been immobilized on carbon-shadowed support films by UV irradiation of the first monolayer transferred to the support film. The immobilized bilayer is capable of allowing bound protein (anti-DNP antibody) to organize into 2-D arrays in the presence of organic solvents such as acetonitrile and dilute concentrations of detergents such as beta-octyl glucoside. The ability of the bilayers to remain attached to supports under various conditions that include organic solvents and detergents as well as divalent ions is of potential interest in the study of protein crystallization and particularly in the study of membrane proteins.