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Measuring flow-mediated protein drift across stationary supported lipid bilayers
Amanda M Ratajczak1, Sreeja Sasidharan1, Xaymara I Rivera Gonzalez1
1Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Biophysical Journal
|April 6, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to measure how fluid flow moves proteins within cell membranes. This technique quantifies protein mobility, aiding the study of flow-mediated cell signaling and function.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Fluid flow near cell membranes impacts crucial cellular functions like development and motility.
- Extracellular membrane proteins can be transported laterally by this flow, potentially mediating cell signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative method for measuring the flow-mediated lateral transport of lipid-anchored proteins.
- To understand the forces acting on membrane proteins and their contribution to flow signaling.
Main Methods:
- Rupturing giant unilamellar vesicles to create supported membrane patches in microchannels.
- Applying fluid flow and observing the formation and dynamic response of protein concentration gradients.
- Determining protein flow mobility by analyzing gradient changes in response to shear stress.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated a method for measuring flow-mediated lateral transport of lipid-anchored proteins.
- Observed the formation of protein concentration gradients in response to applied shear stress.
- Showcased the method's sensitivity and reproducibility using model systems.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides quantitative knowledge of protein mobility under flow conditions.
- This technique will enable comparisons of flow transport across various proteins, lipids, and membranes.
- Facilitates further research into flow signaling mechanisms in both model systems and living cells.
