Protocol for studying membrane protein dynamics and associated synaptic vesicle recruitment on native membrane sheets

Plasma membrane sheets generated by controlled mechanical disruption provide direct access to the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane while preserving the native organization of membrane-associated proteins and lipids. Here, we present a protocol for generating and validating sonication-derived plasma membrane sheets from cultured cells, primary neurons, and isolated synaptosomes. We further describe their application for live and fixed imaging of membrane protein localization, organization, conformational dynamics, and protein-protein interactions, as well as quantitative membrane-associated synaptic vesicle recruitment assays.

This versatile platform preserves the native membrane environment while enabling direct visualization and quantitative analysis of membrane-associated processes at high spatial resolution. The protocol can be readily adapted to investigate diverse membrane proteins, lipid-dependent mechanisms, and vesicle tethering events across a wide range of cellular systems.