MEGA-10 is a nonionic detergent that can be used to solubilize membrane proteins. [1] It has a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 4.88 mM under no salt conditions, which decreases in the presence of sodium chloride. [2] MEGA-10 has been used to reconstitute amino acid transporters from rat liver plasma membrane vesicles into artificial phospholipid membranes.[3] It has also been used to solubilize the melibiose transport carrier from E. coli membranes and reconstitute it into liposomes.[4]
Reference:
[1]. Hildreth, J.E.K. N-D-Gluco-N-methylalkanamide compounds, a new class of non-ionic detergents for membrane biochemistry. Biochem. J. 207(2), 363-366 (1982).
[2]. Molina-Bolívar, J.A., Hierrezuelo, J.M., and Carnero Ruiz, C. Self-assembly, hydration, and structures in N-decanoyl-N-methylglucamide aqueous solutions: Effect of salt addition and temperature. J. Colloid. Interface Sci. 313(2), 656-664 (2007).
[3]. Quesada, A.R., and McGivan, J.D. A rapid method for the functional reconstitution of amino acid transport systems from rat liver plasma membranes. Partial purification of System A. Biochem J. 255(3), 963-969 (1988).
[4]. Hanatani, M., Nishifuji, K., Futai, M., et al. Solubilization and reconstitution of membrane proteins of Escherichia coli using alkanoyl-N-methylglucamides. J. Biochem. 95(5), 1349-1353 (1984).