Imaging of Reconstituted Ion Channels

Creative Bioarray is committed to providing our clients with imaging services for reconstituted ion channels and receptors through AFM imaging techniques and providing detailed surface information. We are confident that we can be your reliable partner and our professional scientific services and technical support will accelerate your research progress in the field of ion channels.

Background

In previous studies, scientists have typically investigated the molecular three-dimensional (3D) structure of channels and receptors using high-resolution imaging techniques such as electron microscopy, electron and X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. However, these techniques do not provide detailed information about the surface of the channels and receptors, such as the location of molecular interactions with external perturbations, and this information is not usually available through biochemical, electrophysiological, and molecular biology techniques. It is therefore essential to develop imaging techniques that can be used for direct molecular structure-function studies.

AFM imaging is a technique with high resolution at the atomic level that allows the imaging of 3D surface structures of a variety of natural biological samples in aqueous media at sub-nanometre resolution. AFM imaging under hydrated conditions offers the opportunity to observe biochemical and physiological processes at the molecular level in real-time. This technique is not limited to purified natural membranes with channels and receptors. Recent studies have shown significant advantages in enabling imaging with AFM of the ultrastructure of isolated and reconstituted channels and receptors present in noncrystalline specimens.

Fig. 1 Reconstituted porin channels imaged with an AFM. (Kim, 2001)

Our Services

We have worked on the development of AFM imaging techniques and the extension of AFM imaging spectra to achieve substrate resolution on amorphous samples in fluid media. We help our clients image the 3D surface morphology of a wide range of ion channels, pumps, and receptors that are 1) present in isolated natural membranes, 2) expressed in appropriate expression systems, or 3) reconstituted in artificial membranes. With AFM imaging, we provide clients with detailed information about reconstituted ion channels.

• High-resolution information on noncrystalline aggregates of ion channels and receptors.
• Determination of the physicochemical properties of ion channels and receptors.
• Determination of the surface polarity (sidedness) of the sample.

We have accumulated extensive experience in AFM imaging of isolated and reconstituted channels and receptors. We provide imaging services for the following macromolecules:

• Purified channels and receptors, such as cholera-toxin B-oligomers and cytotoxin VacA.
• Reconstituted channels and receptors in 2D systems, such as AβP channels and ompF porins.
• Reconstituted 3D crystals of ion channels, such as Ca-ATPase.

Applications

• Structure-function correlational studies
• Structural analysis of individual channels and receptors
• Molecular interaction studies of ion channels with various ligands

Creative Bioarray is committed to developing a wide range of imaging techniques to open up new avenues for the study of the molecular structure of reconstituted ion channels and receptors. We have the strength to provide you with the best experimental scheme to accelerate your research on the reconstituted ion channels. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Kim, H.; et al. Atomic force microscopy of reconstituted ion channels. Ion Channel Localization. Humana Press, 2001, 371-389.