Characterization of membrane proteins in detergent solution by Static light scattering (SLS) (CAT#: STEM-MB-0560-WXH)

Introduction

Determination of the oligomeric state or the subunit stoichiometry of integral membrane proteins in detergent solution is notoriously difficult, because the amount of detergent (and lipid) associated with the proteins is usually not known. The mass ratio of protein to detergent in the protein/detergent micelle can vary dramatically depending on both the protein and the nature of the detergent. Static light scattering can measure directly the absolute molecular mass of a protein present in a protein/detergent micelle, without any assumption on the amount of detergent bound, or the shape of the proteins.