Advanced Strategies in Liposome Microarray-Based Assays for Protein–Lipid Interactions
Published in Genetics & Genomics
The comprehensive overview presented in this chapter highlights the importance of lipids, particularly phosphoinositides and sphingolipids, in orchestrating intracellular processes. The complexity of protein-lipid interactions, integral to membrane dynamics, is underscored by the vast lipidome containing over 40,000 species. Liposome microarrays, exemplified by the LiMA23 assay, emerge as a powerful tool for systematically and quantitatively measuring protein recruitment to membranes. The advantages of high throughput, automation, and multiplexing provided by LiMA significantly surpass traditional methods, offering a platform to decipher intricate protein-lipid interactions. The chapter delves into the meticulous design and fabrication of liposome microarrays, emphasizing the critical role of substrate preparation, lipid selection, hydration, and array printing. Additionally, the use of microarray technology in biological research is explored, particularly in the investigation of protein-lipid interactions. The versatility of microarrays across genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and glycomics expands their applicability in understanding complex cellular networks. The limitations of liposome microarrays, such as the time-consuming optimization process and challenges in scaling for large-scale applications, are acknowledged. A comparative analysis with other techniques highlights the unique strengths of liposome microarrays, particularly in achieving high throughput and specificity. Looking forward, the chapter outlines emerging trends and potential enhancements in the field. Single-molecule imaging, live-cell imaging with microfluidics, and advanced data analysis pipelines are identified as future directions. Additionally, integrative computational modeling and the development of biosensors for in-situ measurements on liposome microarrays hold promise for a more comprehensive understanding of protein-lipid interactions in complex biological contexts. Overall, this chapter provides a roadmap for future research and technological innovations in the dynamic realm of protein-lipid interactions