Reconstitution and functional characterization of the FtsH protease in lipid nanodiscs

FtsH is a membrane-bound protease that plays crucial role in proteolytic regulation of many cellular functions. It universally conserved bacteria and responsible for the degradation misfolded or misassembled proteins. A recent study has determined structure bacterial detergent micelles. To properly function native-like environment, we reconstituted complex into lipid nanodiscs. We found membrane scaffold protein (MSP) nanodiscs maintains its native hexameric conformation functionally active. further investigated effect bilayer composition (acyl chain length, saturation, head group charge size) on activity. acyl length influences AaFtsH activity nanodiscs, with greatest di-C18:1 PC. conclude MSP are suitable model membranes vitro studies complex.