Styrene – Maleic Acid (SMA) Copolymer: A Versatile Tool in Membrane Research

GÖTTINGEN, Germany - Sept. 5, 2018 - PRLog -- Styrene - maleic acid (SMA) copolymers are broadly used for function and structure studies of membrane proteins. The significant advantages of using SMA copolymers include (1) generating a detergent-free system and (2) forming bilayer nanodiscs with phospholipids. Application of SMA copolymers opens an avenue of membrane protein extraction from cell membranes and proteoliposomes in the absence of detergent. The extracted membrane proteins are stabilized in the nanodiscs that mimic the bilayer structure of lipids in nature. The membrane proteins in nanodiscs can be purified and employed in biochemical, biophysical and biological experiments. For example, the nanodiscs can be used for structure studies of membrane proteins by electron microscopy (EM). Typically SMA copolymers 2:1 forms nanodiscs in a size about 30 nm while SMA copolymers 3:1 forms nanodiscs in a size about 10 nm. The ideal pH for nanodisc formation is between pH 7.0 – 8.0.

MoBiTec offers the below products,supplied by ProFoldin, US, to interested clients across the world:

Styrene - Maleic Acid Copolymer 2:1 Free Acid is the free acid form of SMA Copolymer with a molar ratio of styrene to maleic acid of 2:1. The copolymer molecular weight is 10.1 kDa.

Styrene - Maleic Acid Copolymer 2:1 Sodium Salt is the sodium salt form of SMA copolymer with a molar ratio of styrene to maleic acid of 2:1. The copolymer molecular weight is 10.4 kDa.

Protocols for the formation of nanodiscs from cell membranes or proteoliposomes as well as the purification of nanodiscs and protein purification are available.

All ProFoldin products can be ordered from MoBiTec: http://www.mobitec.com

Contact info@mobitec.com for more information and bulk pricing options.

About MoBiTec GmbH

MoBiTec GmbH (Goettingen, Germany) is a privately held company (founded in 1987) that offers research tools for molecular and cell biology. Products include DNA vectors for cloning and expression, cell transfection reagents and cell culture tools, immobilized and soluble enzymes, products for genomics and proteomics research, numerous antibodies and recombinant proteins, superior fluorescence reagents and kits, affinity chromatography products, as well as general laboratory equipment.

In parallel to its own product lines, MoBiTec distributes products from international companies in Germany. MoBiTec products are distributed worldwide, in Germany from their home office, in other countries by distributors.