title: Novel method for evaluation of the oligomeric structure of membrane proteins.
abstract: Assessment of the quaternary structure of membrane proteins by PAGE has been problematic owing to their relatively poor solubility in non-dissociative detergents. Here we report that several membrane proteins can be readily solubilized in their native quaternary structure with the use of the detergent perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFO). Further, PFO can be used with PAGE, thereby providing a novel, accessible tool with which to assess the molecular mass of homo-multimeric protein complexes.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology Department, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramjeesingh
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Huan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garami
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bear
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051398:Aquaporin 1; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002210:Caprylates; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry; D003902:Detergents; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012995:Solubility; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: C496020:AQP1 protein, human; D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte; C496022:Aqp1 protein, rat; D020346:Aquaporins; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D002210:Caprylates; D003902:Detergents; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D051398:Aquaporin 1; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid