Single-molecule digital sizing of proteins in solution

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Georg Krainer - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Raphael PB Jacquat - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Matthias M Schneider - , University of Cambridge, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (Author)
  • Timothy J Welsh - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Jieyuan Fan - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Quentin AE Peter - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Ewa A Andrzejewska - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Kadi L Saar - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Therese W Herling - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Titus Marcellus Franzmann - , Chair of Cellular Biochemistry (Author)
  • Vasilis Kosmoliaptsis - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Simon Alberti - , Chair of Cellular Biochemistry (Author)
  • F. Ulrich Hartl - , Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) (Author)
  • Steven F Lee - , University of Cambridge (Author)
  • Tuomas P J Knowles - , University of Cambridge (Author)

Abstract

The physical characterization of proteins in terms of their sizes, interactions, and assembly states is key to understanding their biological function and dysfunction. However, this has remained a difficult task because proteins are often highly polydisperse and present as multicomponent mixtures. Here, we address this challenge by introducing single-molecule microfluidic diffusional sizing (smMDS). This approach measures the hydrodynamic radius of single proteins and protein assemblies in microchannels using single-molecule fluorescence detection. smMDS allows for ultrasensitive sizing of proteins down to femtomolar concentrations and enables affinity profiling of protein interactions at the single-molecule level. We show that smMDS is effective in resolving the assembly states of protein oligomers and in characterizing the size of protein species within complex mixtures, including fibrillar protein aggregates and nanoscale condensate clusters. Overall, smMDS is a highly sensitive method for the analysis of proteins in solution, with wide-ranging applications in drug discovery, diagnostics, and nanobiotechnology.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number7740
JournalNature Communications
Volume15
Publication statusPublished - 4 Sept 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85203298782
ORCID /0000-0003-4017-6505/work/173054547
PubMed 39231922