Detergent-free extraction, reconstitution and characterization of membrane-anchored cytochrome-b5 in native lipids.

Despite the denaturing properties, detergents are used to purify and study membrane proteins. Herein, we demonstrate the polymer-based detergent-free extraction of a membrane protein, cytochrome-b5, along with E.coli lipids. NMR experiments reveal the suitability of the nanodiscs for high-resolution studies and the type of native lipids associated with the protein.