Amphipols (APols) are short amphipathic polymers that can substitute for detergents to keep integral membrane proteins (MPs) water soluble. In this review, we discuss their structure and solution behavior; the way they associate with MPs; and the structure, dynamics, and solution properties of the resulting complexes. All MPs tested to date form water-soluble complexes with APols, and their biochemical stability is in general greatly improved compared with MPs in detergent solutions. The functionality and ligand-binding properties of APol-trapped MPs are reviewed, and the mechanisms by which APols stabilize MPs are discussed. Applications of APols include MP folding and cell-free synthesis, structural studies by NMR, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, APol-mediated immobilization of MPs onto solid supports, proteomics, delivery of MPs to preexisting membranes, and vaccine formulation.

中文翻译：

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两栖动物从A到Z。

Amphipols（APols）是短的两亲性聚合物，可替代清洁剂以使整体膜蛋白（MPs）保持水溶性。在这篇评论中，我们讨论了它们的结构和解决方案行为；他们与国会议员的联系方式；以及所得配合物的结构，动力学和溶液性质。迄今测试的所有MP均与APols形成水溶性复合物，与洗涤剂溶液中的MP相比，它们的生化稳定性通常得到大大改善。审查了功能和配体结合的APol捕获的MPs，并讨论了APols稳定MPs的机制。APol的应用包括MP折叠和无细胞合成，通过NMR进行结构研究，电子显微镜和X射线衍射，将MPs固定在固体支持物上的APol介导，蛋白质组学，