Proteoliposomes and plant transport proteins

Abstract

Artificial membrane systems are being used increasingly to study the function and role of plant membrane proteins, particularly solute transporters which catalyse counter-exchange of metabolites. Performing such studies requires (i) solubilization of the protein with a suitable surfactant, (ii) functional reconstitution of the protein in a well characterized liposome system. Much of the technology has been derived from studies on non-plant systems and there are many pitfalls of which to be wary before applying it to a new protein. This short review outlines the key parameters which should be considered when attempting the study of plant membrane proteins in artificial lipid bilayers, including types of surfactants, lipid composition of vesicles, membrane permeability, and protein orientation.