Controlled immobilization of membrane proteins to surfaces for Fourier transform infrared investigations

We show that it is possible to immobilize membrane proteins uniformly and reversibly as self-assembled (sub)monolayers on nitrilotriacetic acid-covered sensor surfaces via hexahistidine sequences present either in the protein or in lipid membranes. Fourier transform infrared spectra of such self-assembled (sub)monolayers deliver important structural information of the membrane proteins and are suited to screen the function of cellular receptors.