Abstract The elucidation of the structures and interactions of proteins and lipids in intact biological membranes remains largely uncharted territory. However, this information is crucial for understanding how organelles are assembled and how transmembrane machines transduce signals. The challenge of seeing how lipids and proteins engage each other in vivo remains difficult but is being aided by a group of amphipathic copolymers that spontaneously fragment native membranes into native nanodiscs. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) copolymers have proven adept at converting membranes, cells and tissues directly into SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), allowing endogenous lipid: protein complexes to be prepared and analyzed. Unlike other amphipathic polymers such as amphipols, SMALP formation requires no conventional detergents, which typically strip lipid molecules from proteins and can destabilize multimers. A collaborative community of hundreds of investigators known as the SMALP network has emerged to develop and apply new technologies and identify new challenges and design potential solutions. In this contribution, we review recent practices and progress, focusing on novel SMA copolymers, modifications, alternatives and mechanisms. In addition, a brief overview will be provided, with reference to the further contributions to this special issue on the SMALP technology.

中文翻译：

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使用基于聚（苯乙烯-共-马来酸）的天然纳米圆盘推进膜生物学

摘要 完整生物膜中蛋白质和脂质的结构和相互作用的阐明在很大程度上仍然是未知的领域。然而，这些信息对于理解细胞器如何组装以及跨膜机器如何转导信号至关重要。观察脂质和蛋白质如何在体内相互作用的挑战仍然很困难，但一组两亲性共聚物会自发地将天然膜断裂成天然纳米圆盘。聚（苯乙烯-共-马来酸）（SMA）共聚物已被证明擅长将膜、细胞和组织直接转化为 SMA 脂质颗粒（SMALP），从而可以制备和分析内源性脂质：蛋白质复合物。与其他两亲性聚合物如两亲性聚合物不同，SMALP 的形成不需要传统的去污剂，这通常会从蛋白质中剥离脂质分子，并使多聚体不稳定。一个由数百名研究人员组成的协作社区（称为 SMALP 网络）已经出现，以开发和应用新技术并确定新挑战和设计潜在解决方案。在这篇文章中，我们回顾了最近的实践和进展，重点关注新型 SMA 共聚物、改性、替代品和机制。此外，将提供简要概述，参考对本专题关于 SMALP 技术的进一步贡献。我们回顾了最近的实践和进展，重点关注新型 SMA 共聚物、改性、替代品和机制。此外，将提供简要概述，参考对本专题关于 SMALP 技术的进一步贡献。我们回顾了最近的实践和进展，重点关注新型 SMA 共聚物、改性、替代品和机制。此外，将提供简要概述，参考对本专刊关于 SMALP 技术的进一步贡献。