Sample Preparation using a Lipid Monolayer Method for Electron Crystallographic Studies

Over the years, lipid Monolayers have been used as a supporting layer to foster the 2D crystallization of peripheral membrane proteins, as well as soluble proteins. This method can also be applied to 2D crystallization, as some integral membrane proteins. But requires more extensive empirical investigation to determine detergent and dialysis conditions to promote partitioning to the lipid monolayer.

A lipid monolayer forms at the air water interface, such that the polar head groups of the lipid remain hydrated in the aqueous phase. And the non-polar acyl tails of the lipid partition to the air water interface, which breaks the surface tension and flattens the water surface. The charge nature the distinctive chemical moieties of the lipid head groups provide the affinity for proteins in solution.