A new and promising tool in membrane research is the detergent-free solubilization of membrane proteins by styrene-maleic acid copolymers (SMAs). These amphipathic molecules are able to solubilize lipid bilayers in the form of nanodiscs that are bounded by the polymer. Thus, membrane proteins can be directly extracted from cells in a water-soluble form while conserving a patch of native membrane around them. In this review article, we briefly discuss current methods of membrane protein solubilization and stabilization. We then zoom in on SMAs, describe their physico-chemical properties, and discuss their membrane-solubilizing effect. This is followed by an overview of studies in which SMA has been used to isolate and investigate membrane proteins. Finally, potential future applications of the methodology are discussed for structural and functional studies on membrane proteins in a near-native environment and for characterizing protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions.

/pdf/the-styrene-maleic-acid-copolymer-a-versatile-tool-in-2l3695u2ux.pdf

The styrene-maleic acid copolymer: a versatile tool in membrane research

Complex-radical alternating copolymerization

The mechanism of the polymerization of n.butyl acrylate initiated with N,N-diethyl dithiocarbamate derivatives

This review summarizes the main advances published over the last 15 years outlining the different methods of grafting, including reactive extruder systems, surface modification, grafting and graft copolymerization of synthetic and natural polymers with maleic anhydride and its isostructural analogues such as maleimides and maleates, and anhydrides, esters and imides of citraconic and itaconic acids, derivatives of fumaric acid, etc. Special attention is spared to the grafting of conventional and non&conventional synth etic and natural polymers, including biodegradable polymers, mechanism of grafting and graft copolymerization, in situ grafting reactions in melt by reactive extrusion systems, in solutions and solid state (photo& and plasma& induced graftings), and H&bonding effect in the rea ctive blend processing. The structural phenomena, unique properties and application areas of these copolymers and their various modifications and composites as high performance engineering materials have been also described.

/pdf/graft-copolymers-of-maleic-anhydride-and-its-isostructural-phsjwiw1aa.pdf

Pramil C. Deb

Papers

Primary radical termination in polymerization: Evaluation of the characteristic constant

Non-ideal polymerization. Treatment of non-ideality due to primary radical termination and degradative chain transfer

Study on kinetics of copolymerisation of styrene and maleic anhydride in dioxane

Non-ideality in vinyl polymerization—IV. Kinetics of polymerization of vinyl acetate in benzene initiated by azo-bis isobutyronitrile (AIBN)

Non-ideality in vinyl polymerisation—III: Note on primary radical termination and degradative chain transfer in vinyl acetate polymerisation