Application of protein-liposome conjugate as a pseudo-stationary phase in capillary electrophoresis

Liposomes have very similar structure to cell plasma membranes. Using liposomes as stationary phase in liquid chromatography (LC) or micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) has been demonstrated to be a good, dynamic method for the study of the interaction between cell membranes and important biomolecules. There has been no report on integrating plasma membrane proteins with phospholipids as pseudo-stationary phase in MEKC. In this paper, a novel mode of capillary electrophoresis (CE) is developed, that is, protein-liposome conjugate. This protein-liposome biomimetic membrane is demonstrated for the first time to be applicable as pseudo-stationary phase in MEKC. The protein is able to significantly improve chromatographic performance and stability. The experimental phenomena are further confirmed in terms of specific capacity factors and free binding energy. This new CE mode is used to investigate the interaction between dopamine transporter and dopamine-nomifensine.