Scanning force microscopy of artificial membranes.
Visualization of biological membranes by scanning force microscopy (SFM) has tremendously improved the current understanding of protein-lipid interactions under physiological conditions. SFM is the only tool to directly image processes on surfaces in aqueous solution at molecular resolution. Besides being a supportive means to confirm results on lipid phases and domains obtained from fluorescence spectroscopy, calorimetry, and X-ray crystallography, SFM has contributed distinct aspects on the formation of 2D crystals of various membrane-confined proteins and morphological changes of membranes due to the interaction of peptides and proteins. This review will focus on recent results in SFM imaging of artificial solid-supported membranes, their phase behavior as a response to the environment, and changes in membrane morphology induced by the partitioning of peptides and proteins.
Janshoff
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Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität, Jakob-Welder-Weg 11, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
Steinem
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C
D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D010743:Phospholipids