Building model membranes with lipids and proteins: Dangers and challenges

Abstract

The objective of this review is to summarize the current art of protein reconstitution into lipid vesicles and to critically assess the methods and recent developments. First, we briefly describe the reasons for reconstitution of membrane proteins into artificial membranes, highlighting any specificities of the membrane. We then go on to describe the currently popular methods emphasizing their qualities and shortcomings. We will then review several more recent or more recently popular methods that can be used to improve reconstitution in some circumstances before concluding by highlighting some of the remaining challenges that biochemists face, wishing to improve reconstitution systems.