DiMPro^TM Full Length Transmembrane Proteins

Full-Length Membrane Protein Challenges

Transmembrane proteins (TPs) are critical components of the cell membrane, playing key roles in molecular transport, cell signaling, and immune recognition. Their central role in disease pathways makes them some of the most sought-after targets in drug discovery and membrane protein research: over 60% of all known drug targets and more than 90% of antibody drug targets are membrane proteins.

Functions of transmembrane proteins: GPCRs for signal transduction, ion channels for ion transport, and cancer antigens for immune recognition

Figure 1: Membrane proteins play important roles in a variety of cellular functions

Working with full-length transmembrane proteins presents significant challenges. Their hydrophobic nature makes it difficult to achieve soluble expression and proper folding. Additionally, multi-span proteins are often produced at very low levels, limiting their availability for research applications. These factors create hurdles in many areas, particularly when preparing native, functional antigens – a crucial step for antibody discovery and therapeutic development.

Table 1 (below) summarizes the advantages and challenges of these antigen strategies.

Table 1: Benefits and issues of different antigens

Full-length TP Platforms

To overcome the challenges of working with full-length transmembrane proteins, DIMA Biotech offers a range of high-quality products designed to preserve protein structure, functionality, and stability. Our products are grouped into two main categories based on how the proteins are presented.

Purified Membrane Proteins
Non-Purified Membrane Proteins in Native Environment

Figure 2: DIMA’s solutions for the full-length multi-pass transmembrane proteins

Purified
Non-Purified

Detergent Solubilization of Membrane Proteins

Detergents are amphipathic molecules that form micelles above a critical concentration, enabling solubilization of active membrane proteins as stable protein–detergent complexes.

PeptiNanodisc

PeptiNanodisc utilizes specially designed peptides to wrap around the hydrophobic regions of membrane proteins (similar to a peptide-based disc), thereby protecting them from the aqueous environment. View more >>

Synthetic Nanodisc

Synthetic Nanodiscs use specialized polymers to wrap around the hydrophobic regions of full-length membrane proteins. The polymers solubilize cell membranes and reorganize native phospholipids to form stable nanodisc proteins, maintaining protein structure and activity. VIew more >>

MSP Nanodisc

MSP nanodisc uses a specific protein called Membrane Scaffold Protein (MSP) as a stabilizer to wrap artificial phospholipid components and transmembrane proteins to form a nanodisc.

Comparison table of synthetic nanodisc (polymer-based), MSP nanodisc, and peptiNanodisc platforms.

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Virus-like particles (VLPs)

VLPs are self-assembling protein nanoparticles (~100–150 nm) that mimic viral structure but lack genetic material. They are secreted by cells expressing target membrane proteins (MPs), which are embedded in a native-like phospholipid bilayer.

Membrane Nanoparticles (MNPs)

MNPs utilize intact cell membranes to achieve high biocompatibility, specificity, and minimal side effects, distinguishing them from conventional approaches.

Exosomes (EXOs)

EXOs are 30–150 nm membrane nanoparticles released via fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane.