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Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy of Polycystic Kidney Disease Proteins

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Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 875))

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy in its single-molecule force spectroscopy mode is a nanomanipulation technique that is extensively used for the study of the mechanical properties of proteins. It is particularly suited to examine their response to stretching (i.e., molecular elasticity and mechanical stability). Here, we describe protein engineering strategies and single-molecule AFM techniques for probing protein mechanics, with special emphasis on polycystic kidney disease (PKD) proteins. We also provide step-by-step protocols for preparing proteins and performing single-molecule force measurements.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by NIH grant R01DK073394, the John Sealy Memorial Endowment Fund for Biomedical Research, and by the Polycystic Kidney Foundation (grant 116a2r).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

    Liang Ma & Meixiang Xu

  2. Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA

    Andres F. Oberhauser

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA

    Andres F. Oberhauser

Authors
  1. Liang Ma
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  2. Meixiang Xu
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  3. Andres F. Oberhauser
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andres F. Oberhauser .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, University Blvd. 301, Galveston, 77555-1053, Texas, USA

    Wlodek M. Bujalowski

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Ma, L., Xu, M., Oberhauser, A.F. (2012). Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy of Polycystic Kidney Disease Proteins. In: Bujalowski, W. (eds) Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 875. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-806-1_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-806-1_16

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-805-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-806-1

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