Membrane Protein Structure Determination Service
Membrane Protein Structure Determination Service is a specialized technical service focused on resolving the three-dimensional structures of membrane proteins. By integrating structural biology techniques such as X-ray Crystallography, Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, this service aims to obtain high-resolution spatial conformational information of membrane proteins under near-physiological conditions.
As essential components of the cell membrane, membrane proteins play central roles in signal transduction, substance transport, energy conversion, and cell recognition. Due to their structural complexity and broad involvement in disease processes, membrane proteins are also major targets in drug development. More than 40% of approved drugs worldwide are designed to target membrane proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels, and transporters. Determining the structure of membrane proteins helps elucidate their functional states in native environments and provides molecular-level evidence for drug screening, pathogenic mutation studies, and target validation.
Choy BC. et al. Bba-Biomembranes. 2021.
X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM and NMR are widely used techniques in structural biology and are commonly employed for membrane protein structure analysis. X-ray crystallography is suitable for membrane proteins with good crystallization properties, Cryo-EM is ideal for studying large membrane protein complexes that are difficult to crystallize, and NMR is appropriate for investigating small membrane proteins or flexible regions.
By integrating these three major platforms—X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM, and NMR—along with a comprehensive membrane protein preparation system, MtoZ Biolabs offers Membrane Protein Structure Determination Service to resolve high-resolution three-dimensional structures of membrane proteins, uncovering functional mechanisms, conformational changes and interaction interfaces, providing robust structural biology support for target validation and structure-based drug design.
Analysis Workflow
The general workflow of Membrane Protein Structure Determination Service is as follows:
1. Project Evaluation and Strategy Design
Develop the most appropriate structural determination strategy (X-ray, Cryo-EM, or NMR) based on the properties of the membrane protein and the research objectives.
2. Membrane Protein Extraction and Purification
Extract the membrane protein and purify it to high purity using suitable detergents or membrane-mimetic systems.
3. Sample Stability Optimization
Assess the stability of the membrane protein in various buffer systems, detergents, or membrane-mimetic environments to identify the optimal conditions for structural analysis.
4. Structural Analysis Execution
Perform crystal screening, cryo-EM sample preparation, or NMR spectroscopy based on the selected technique.
5. Data Analysis and Result Delivery
Deliver high-resolution structural files along with detailed structural annotations and analytical reports.
Service Advantages
1. Multi-Platform Integration: Supports the three mainstream structural determination techniques—X-ray, Cryo-EM, and NMR—to accommodate various types of membrane proteins.
2. Customized Strategy Development: Tailors structural analysis strategies based on specific protein properties to improve success rates.
3. Compatibility with Challenging Samples: Capable of handling highly hydrophobic and structurally flexible membrane proteins, making it ideal for difficult target studies.
Sample Submission Suggestions
Sample Type: Purified membrane proteins or cells expressing the target membrane protein can be submitted.
Storage Conditions: Protein samples should be stored at -80°C and shipped on dry ice. Cell samples are recommended to be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen.
Additional Notes: Please consult with our technical team before submission to discuss the protein type, preferred structural technique (X-ray, Cryo-EM, or NMR), and any specific requirements to optimize the analysis strategy.
Applications
Application examples of Membrane Protein Structure Determination Service:
Drug Design and Target Validation
Provides molecular templates for structure-based drug design (SBDD).
Signal Transduction Studies
Elucidates conformational changes of receptors, transporters, and other membrane proteins under different functional states.
Mechanistic Analysis of Protein Complexes
Investigates interaction modes between membrane proteins and ligands, cofactors, or other proteins.
Mutation Effect Analysis
Compares the structures of wild-type and mutant membrane proteins to uncover pathogenic mechanisms.
Deliverables
1. High-resolution 3D structural file of the membrane protein
2. Raw data and imaging files from structure determination
3. Structural annotation and secondary structure analysis report
4. Binding site identification and key residue annotation (if applicable)
5. Project summary and technical documentation
Related Services
Membrane Proteins Structure Characterization Service | Cryo-EM
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