Nanodiscs remain indispensable for Cryo-EM studies of membrane proteins Review


Authors: Hiotis, G.; Notti, R. Q.; Bao, H.; Walz, T.
Review Title: Nanodiscs remain indispensable for Cryo-EM studies of membrane proteins
Abstract: Nanodiscs, small discoidal membrane patches stabilized by membrane-scaffold proteins (MSPs), are popular tools to stabilize integral membrane proteins (IMPs) for structural studies by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). While nanodiscs provide a near-native membrane environment for the incorporated IMPs, they do not reproduce all characteristics of a native membrane. Also, IMPs must first be purified in detergent before they can be reconstituted into MSP-based nanodiscs, a problem that has been overcome by newer approaches, such as copolymer-based native nanodiscs and cell-derived vesicles. In this review, we argue that despite these advances, MSP-based nanodiscs remain a unique tool for the structural interrogation of IMPs. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: review; membrane protein; cryoelectron microscopy; detergent; membrane; scaffold protein; copolymer; pharmaceutics; human; nanodisc
Journal Title: Current Opinion in Structural Biology
Volume: 92
ISSN: 0959-440X
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2025-06-01
Start Page: 103042
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2025.103042
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 40203538
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Source: Scopus
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