Membrane-protein binding measured with solution-phase plasmonic nanocube sensors

Nat Methods. 2012 Dec;9(12):1189-91. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.2211. Epub 2012 Oct 21.

Abstract

We describe a solution-phase sensor of lipid-protein binding based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of silver nanocubes. When silica-coated nanocubes are mixed in a suspension of lipid vesicles, supported membranes spontaneously assemble on their surfaces. Using a standard laboratory spectrophotometer, we calibrated the LSPR peak shift due to protein binding to the membrane surface and then characterized the lipid-binding specificity of a pleckstrin homology domain protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Calibration
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Protein Binding*
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Silver / chemistry
  • Solutions
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / methods
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Solutions
  • Silver
  • Silicon Dioxide