Filipin orientation revealed by linear dichroism. Implication for a model of action

The organization of the polyene antibiotic filipin in membranes containing cholesterol is a controversial matter of debate. Two contradictory models exist, one suggesting a parallel and the other perpendicular organization of filipin with respect to the plane of the membrane. UV-vis linear dichroism, ATR-FTIR, and fluorescence anisotropy decay techniques were combined to study the orientation of filipin in model systems of membranes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) or 1,2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) with and without cholesterol. Filipin's orientation is determined by the presence/absence of cholesterol when it is inserted in gel crystalline phase model membranes. When cholesterol (33%) is present in DPPC bilayers, filipin stands perpendicular to the membrane surface as expected in "pore-forming" models. At variance, absence of cholesterol leaves filipin in an essentially random organization in the lipidic matrix. In liquid crystalline phase bilayers (POPC) filipin's orientation is perpendicular to the membrane surface even in absence of cholesterol. Thus filipin's activity/organization depends not only on cholesterol presence but also in the lipid phase domain it is inserted in. These findings were combined with spectroscopy and microscopy data in the literature, solving controversial matters of debate.     

Molecular umbrella-assisted transport of an oligonucleotide across cholesterol-rich phospholipid bilayers

A series of molecular umbrella conjugates, derived from cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, spermidine, lysine, and 5-mercapto-2-nitrobenzoic acid, have been synthesized and found capable of transporting an attached 16-mer oligonucleotide (S-dT16) across liposomal membranes made from 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyldglycerol (POPG), and cholesterol [POPC/POPG/cholesterol (65/5/30; mol/mol/mol, v/v/v)] at 37 degrees C. Those molecular umbrellas containing four choloyl (or deoxycholoyl) groups resulted in significantly faster rates of transport as compared to those containing only two such moieties. A model that accounts for these membrane transport processes is proposed.     

Surface planar bilayers of phospholipids used in protein membrane reconstitution: an atomic force microscopy study

In this work, using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have studied the influence of the temperature on the properties of the surface planar bilayers (SPBs) formed with: (i) the total lipid extract of Escherichia coli; (ii) 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPC) (1:1, mol/mol); and, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol-amine (POPE) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG) (3:1, mol/mol). According to the height profile analysis we performed, the height of the SPBs of DMPC:POPC were temperature dependent. Separated domains were observed in the SPBs of the POPE:POPG mixture and the E. coli lipid extract. The implication of those domains for the correct insertion of membrane proteins into proteoliposomes is discussed.     

Interaction of 3β-amino-5-cholestene with phospholipids in binary and ternary bilayer membranes

3β-Amino-5-cholestene (aminocholesterol) is a synthetic sterol whose properties in bilayer membranes have been examined. In fluid palmitoyl sphingomyelin (PSM) bilayers, aminocholesterol and cholesterol were equally effective in increasing acyl chain order, based on changes in diphenylhexatriene (DPH) anisotropy. In fluid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayers, aminocholesterol ordered acyl chains, but slightly less efficiently than cholesterol. Aminocholesterol eliminated the PSM and DPPC gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition enthalpy linearly with concentration, and the enthalpy approached zero at 30 mol % sterol. Whereas cholesterol was able to increase the thermostability of ordered PSM domains in a fluid bilayer, aminocholesterol under equal conditions failed to do this, suggesting that its interaction with PSM was not as favorable as cholesterols. In ternary mixed bilayers, containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), PSM or DPPC, and cholesterol at proportions to contain a liquid-ordered phase (60:40 by mol of POPC and PSM or DPPC, and 30 mol % cholesterol), the average lifetime of trans-parinaric acid (tPA) was close to 20 ns. When cholesterol was replaced with aminocholesterol in such mixed bilayers, the average lifetime of tPA was only marginally shorter (about 18 ns). This observation, together with acyl chain ordering data, clearly shows that aminocholesterol was able to form a liquid-ordered phase with saturated PSM or DPPC. We conclude that aminocholesterol should be a good sterol replacement in model membrane systems for which a partial positive charge is deemed beneficial.     

Membrane orientation of MSI-78 measured by sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) selectively disrupt bacterial cell membranes to kill bacteria whereas they either do not or weakly interact with mammalian cells. The orientations of AMPs in lipid bilayers mimicking bacterial and mammalian cell membranes are related to their antimicrobial activity and selectivity. To understand the role of AMP-lipid interactions in the functional properties of AMPs better, we determined the membrane orientation of an AMP (MSI-78 or pexiganan) in various model membranes using sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. A solid-supported single 1,2-dipalmitoyl-an-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (DPPG) bilayer or 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (POPG) bilayer was used as a model bacterial cell membrane. A supported 1,2-dipalmitoyl-an-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayer or a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayer was used as a model mammalian cell membrane. Our SFG results indicate that the helical MSI-78 molecules are associated with the bilayer surface with ～70° deviation from the bilayer normal in the negatively charged gel-phase DPPG bilayer at 400 nM peptide concentration. However, when the concentration was increased to 600 nM, MSI-78 molecules changed their orientation to make a 25° tilt from the lipid bilayer normal whereas multiple orientations were observed for an even higher peptide concentration in agreement with toroidal-type pore formation as reported in a previous solid-state NMR study. In contrary, no interaction between MSI-78 and a zwitterionic DPPC bilayer was observed even at a much higher peptide concentration (～12,000 nM). These results demonstrate that SFG can provide insights into the antibacterial activity and selectivity of MSI-78. Interestingly, the peptide exhibits a concentration-dependent membrane orientation in the lamellar-phase POPG bilayer and was also found to induce toroidal-type pore formation. The deduced lipid flip-flop from SFG signals observed from lipids also supports MSI-78-induced toroidal-type pore formation.     

高效液相色谱-荧光检测法测定敬钊毒素-I的磷脂膜结合活性

敬钊毒素-I(JZTX-I)是一种能够抑制心肌钠通道失活的新型蜘蛛神经毒素,该文结合高效液相色谱与色氨酸荧光测定技术研究了JZTX-I的磷脂膜结合活性。脂质体共沉淀实验表明,JZTX-I具有不依赖于带负电荷磷脂组成的生物膜结合活性。当加入由酸性或中性磷脂构成的脂质体后,JZTX-I能够分别产生6.4和4.7 nm的蓝移以及7.4和8.0 nm的红移激发漂移,显示JZTX-I能够插入磷脂膜,同时该分子疏水表面的色氨酸残基处于一个运动受限的界面区域。荧光淬灭实验进一步证实,与脂质体结合能够减少该毒素分子表面色氨酸残基的溶剂暴露。该研究结果为阐明JZTX-I的离子通道门控调节机制提供了新的信息。     

高效液相色谱-荧光检测法测定敬钊毒素-I的磷脂膜结合活性

敬钊毒素-I(JZTX-I)是一种能够抑制心肌钠通道失活的新型蜘蛛神经毒素,该文结合高效液相色谱与色氨酸荧光测定技术研究了JZTX-I的磷脂膜结合活性。脂质体共沉淀实验表明,JZTX-I具有不依赖于带负电荷磷脂组成的生物膜结合活性。当加入由酸性或中性磷脂构成的脂质体后,JZTX-I能够分别产生6.4和4.7nm的蓝移以及7.4和8.0nm的红移激发漂移,显示JZTX-I能够插入磷脂膜,同时该分子疏水表面的色氨酸残基处于一个运动受限的界面区域。荧光淬灭实验进一步证实,与脂质体结合能够减少该毒素分子表面色氨酸残基的溶剂暴露。该研究结果为阐明JZTX-I的离子通道门控调节机制提供了新的信息。     

Surface thermodynamic properties of monolayers versus reconstitution of a membrane protein in solid-supported bilayers

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the influence of a membrane protein, lactose permease of Escherichia coli (LacY), on the surface spreading behavior and the features of self-assembled phospholipids bilayers on mica. The miscibility of phospholipids used, 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), was investigated by surface pressure area isotherm measurements at the air-water interface. A composition with an equimolar proportion of POPC and DMPC was used to form the liposomes. Surface layers formed with DMPC:POPC (0.5:0.5, mol/mol) or LacY reconstituted in proteoliposomes with the same phospholipid composition were imaged by using AFM. When lactose permease was reconstituted in DMPC:POPC (0.5:0.5, mol/mol), self-assembled structures that remained firmly adsorbed onto the mica surface were observed. These sheets had an irregular shape and their upper layer was more corrugated than that obtained for the phospholipid matrix.     

Edelfosine is incorporated into rafts and alters their organization

The effect of edelfosine (1- O-octadecyl-2- O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine or ET-18-OCH3) on model membranes containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/sphingomyelin/cholesterol (POPC/SM/cholesterol) was studied by several physical techniques. The sample POPC/SM (1:1 molar ratio) showed a broad phase transition as seen by DSC, X-ray diffraction, and 2H NMR. The addition of edelfosine to this sample produced isotropic structures at temperatures above the phase transition, as seen by 2H NMR and by 31P NMR. When cholesterol was added to give a POPC/SM/cholesterol (at a molar ratio 1:1:1), no transition was observed by DSC nor X-ray diffraction, and 2H NMR indicated the presence of a liquid ordered phase. The addition of 10 mol % edelfosine increased the thickness of the membrane as seen by X-ray diffraction and led to bigger differences in the values of the molecular order of the membrane detected at high and low temperatures, as detected through the M 1 first spectral moment from 2H NMR. These differences were even greater when 20 mol % edelfosine was added, and a transition was now clearly visible by DSC. In addition, a gel phase was clearly indicated by X-ray diffraction at low temperatures. The same technique pointed to greater membrane thickness in this mixture and to the appearance of a second membrane structure, indicating the formation of two separated phases in the presence of edelfosine. All of these data strongly suggest that edelfosine associating with cholesterol alter the phase status present in a POPC/SM/cholesterol (1:1:1 molar ratio) mixture, which is reputed to be a model of a raft structure. However, cell experiments showed that edelfosine colocalizes in vivo with rafts and that it may reach concentrations higher than 20 mol % of total lipid, indicating that the concentrations used in the biophysical experiments were within what can be expected in a cell membrane. The conclusion is that molecular ways of action of edelfosine in cells may involve the modification of the structure of rafts.     

Early Events in Photodynamic Therapy: Chemical and Physical Changes in a POPC:Cholesterol Bilayer due to Hematoporphyrin IX-mediated Photosensitization

We studied the interaction of hematoporphyrin IX (HpIX) with bilayers of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) containing cholesterol at a molar fraction between 0 and 0.5. The membrane-associated fraction of HpIX decreases significantly over a period of hours, for porphyrin concentrations in the aqueous phase above 50 n m . This was attributed to self-aggregation of HpIX and was well described by a dimerization process. A model was developed to correct for aggregation and obtain the true partition coefficient which is dependent on the molar fraction of cholesterol with a maximum at 20 mol%. The chemical and physical effects on the lipid bilayer upon irradiation of HpIX were studied for lipid bilayers with POPC:Chol 1:1. Exposure of these bilayers to visible light in the presence of HpIX leads to several cholesterol oxidation products that were identified using GC-MS. A dramatic increase in the membrane leakiness was also observed, even for short irradiation times and small light intensities, as evaluated from the rate of pH equilibration and dithionite permeability. The relevance of these results for the mechanism of photodynamic therapy is discussed.     

A facile approach for assembling lipid bilayer membranes on template-stripped gold

Lipid vesicles are designed with functional chemical groups to promote vesicle fusion on template-stripped gold (TS Au) surfaces that does not spontaneously occur on unfunctionalized Au surfaces. Three types of vesicles were exposed to TS Au surfaces: (1) vesicles composed of only 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipids; (2) vesicles composed of lipid mixtures of 2.5 mol % of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-poly(ethylene glycol)-2000-N-[3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate] (DSPE-PEG-PDP) and 97.5 mol % of POPC; and (3) vesicles composed of 2.5 mol % of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(poly(ethylene glycol))-2000] (DSPE-PEG) and 97.5 mol % POPC. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) topography and force spectroscopy measurements acquired in a fluid environment confirmed tethered lipid bilayer membrane (tLBM) formation only for vesicles composed of 2.5 mol % DSPE-PEG-PDP/97.5 mol % POPC, thus indicating that the sulfur-containing PDP group is necessary to achieve tLBM formation on TS Au via Au-thiolate bonds. Analysis of force-distance curves for 2.5 mol % DSPE-PEG-PDP/97.5 mol % POPC tLBMs on TS Au yielded a breakthrough distance of 4.8 ± 0.4 nm, which is about 1.7 nm thicker than that of POPC lipid bilayer membrane formed on mica. Thus, the PEG group serves as a spacer layer between the tLBM and the TS Au surface. Fluorescence microscopy results indicate that these tLBMs also have greater mechanical stability than solid-supported lipid bilayer membranes made from the same vesicles on mica. The described process for assembling stable tLBMs on Au surfaces is compatible with microdispensing used in array fabrication.     

Effect of a Short Peptide with Alternating L- and D-Amino Acid on the Aggregation and Membrane Damage of hIAPP

Alpha-sheet is believed to be a significant structural component, formed in the fibrillation process of the amyloid peptide. However, the knowledge about the role of α-sheet played in the amyloidosis and toxicity is lack. In this work, we modified a short peptide derived from the core region of human islet amyloid polypetide(hIAPP, hIAPP_18-27) with an alternating D-amino acid replacement and investigated the effects of the L/D alternating peptide on the fibrillar aggregation and the membrane damage of hIAPP using NMR, ThT fluorescence assay, circular dichroism(CD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and leakage assay, and compared the results with those of hIAPP_18-27without D-amino acid replacement. We show that the short peptide with alternating L- and D-amino acids forms an α-sheet structure and is more potent in promoting the fibrillation of hIAPP and reducing the ability of hIAPP to disrupt the membrane composed of POPG and POPC[1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine] 1:4 lipids than the short peptide with all L-amino acids in a random coil structure. The higher potency of the D/L alternating peptide in these activities is attributed to its ability to induce the α-sheet-like structure in the core region of hIAPP and block the interaction of hIAPP with the membrane more effectively.     

Temperature-sensitive nonionic vesicles prepared from Span 80 (sorbitan monooleate)

Different types of nonionic vesicles were prepared from commercial Span 80 (also called sorbitan monooleate), as an inexpensive, biocompatible alternative to conventional phospholipid-based vesicles (liposomes). The vesicles were characterized by different techniques and comparison was made with vesicles formed from POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) or DOPC (1,2-dioleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine). Dynamic light scattering measurements, electron microscopy analyses, and two types of fusion assays indicate that Span 80 vesicles are stable for at least 7 days at 4 or 25 degrees C, while storage at 42 degrees C causes irreversible vesicle fusion. This indicates that Span 80 vesicles are thermoresponsive with vesicle fusion occurring at elevated temperature. This property may be related to headgroup dehydration and is certainly not directly linked to the phase transition temperature (Tm) of the vesicles, since the Tm is below -30 degrees C, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The measured Tm value for Span 80 vesicles is lower than in the case of DOPC or POPC, correlating with a higher fluidity of Span 80 vesicles as compared to POPC or DOPC vesicles, as determined with DPH (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) as fluorescent membrane probe. High fluidity correlates with increased leakage of entrapped water-soluble dye molecules. Addition of cholesterol and soybean phosphatidylcholine lowers the extent of leakage, allowing a tuning of the bilayer permeability.     

Material properties of matrix lipids determine the conformation and intermolecular reactivity of diacetylenic phosphatidylcholine in the lipid bilayer

Photopolymerizable phospholipid DC(8,9)PC (1,2-bis-(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) exhibits unique assembly characteristics in the lipid bilayer. Because of the presence of the diacetylene groups, DC(8,9)PC undergoes polymerization upon UV (254 nm) exposure and assumes chromogenic properties. DC(8,9)PC photopolymerization in gel-phase matrix lipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) monitored by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy occurred within 2 min after UV treatment, whereas no spectral shifts were observed when DC(8,9)PC was incorporated into liquid-phase matrix 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed a decrease in the amount of DC(8,9)PC monomer in both DPPC and POPC environments without any change in the matrix lipids in UV-treated samples. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of DPPC/DC(8,9)PC and POPC/DC(8,9)PC bilayers indicate that the DC(8,9)PC molecules adjust to the thickness of the matrix lipid bilayer. Furthermore, the motions of DC(8,9)PC in the gel-phase bilayer are more restricted than in the fluid bilayer. The restricted motional flexibility of DC(8,9)PC (in the gel phase) enables the reactive diacetylenes in individual molecules to align and undergo polymerization, whereas the unrestricted motions in the fluid bilayer restrict polymerization because of the lack of appropriate alignment of the DC(8,9)PC fatty acyl chains. Fluorescence microscopy data indicates the homogeneous distribution of lipid probe 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl ammonium salt (N-Rh-PE) in POPC/DC(8,9)PC monolayers but domain formation in DPPC/DC(8,9)PC monolayers. These results show that the DC(8,9)PC molecules cluster and assume the preferred conformation in the gel-phase matrix for the UV-triggered polymerization reaction.     

pH-induced destabilization of lipid bilayers by a peptide from the VP3 protein of the capsid of hepatitis A virus.

The membrane destabilizing and fusogenic properties of the synthetic peptide VP3(110-121), corresponding to an immunogenic sequence of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) VP3 capsid protein, were studied. By tryptophan fluorescence and acryalmide quenching it was demonstrated that the peptide binds liposomes of POPC-SM-DPPE (47 + 39 + 14) and POPC-SM-DPPE-DOTAP (40 + 33 + 12 + 15) and penetrates the membrane, at both neutral and acidic pH (POPC = 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylglycero-sn-3-phosphocholine; SM = sphingomyelin; DPPE = 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine; DOTAP = 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammoniumpropane). VP3(110-121) did not have membrane-destabilizing properties at neutral pH. Acid-induced destabilization of the vesicles was demonstrated by fluorescence techniques and dynamic light scattering. VP3(110-121) induced aggregation of POPC-SM-DPPE-DOTAP (40 + 33 + 12 + 15) vesicles, lipid mixing and leakage of vesicle contents, all consistent with fusion of vesicles. In POPC-SM-DPPE (47 + 39 + 14) vesicles, at acidic pH, VP3(110-121) induced membrane destabilization with leakage of contents but without aggregation of vesicles or lipid mixing. The peptide only showed fusogenic properties when bound to the vesicles at neutral pH before acidification to pH below 6.0, and no effect was seen if the peptide was added to vesicles already set at acidic pH. These results may have physiological significance in the mechanism of infection of host hepatic cells by HAV.     

Persulfated molecular umbrellas as anti-HIV and anti-HSV agents

A series of persulfated molecular umbrellas have been synthesized from putrescine, spermidine, spermine, lysine, and cholic acid (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a) and their anti-HIV and anti-HSV activities determined. Despite it size, the most active of these conjugates (5a) was able to cross phospholipid bilayers made from 1-palmitoyl-2-oleyol-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG). The unique combination of anti-viral activity, an ability to cross hydrophobic barriers, a lack of cytotoxicity, and a simple three-step synthesis from biogenic starting material suggests that 5a and related conjugates may be exploitable as a novel class of anti-viral agents for systemic and topical applications.     

Carbon nanotube supported single phospholipid bilayer

Single bilayer membranes of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) were formed on micron thin-films of hydrophilized carbon nanotubes (CNT) by fusion of small unilamellar vesicles. The structure of the membrane was investigated using neutron reflectivity (NR). The underlying thin film of CNT was formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in the presence of Fe catalyst, followed by reaction with 5 M nitric acid to render the film hydrophilic. We demonstrate that this platform lends support to homogeneous and continuous bilayer membranes that have promising applications in the fields of biomaterials, biosensors, and biophysics.     

DOPC/DPPC单层膜中分子间的相互作用及形态特征

利用Langmuir-Blodgett(LB)技术制备了不同表面压力下的1,2-二油酸-甘油-3-磷脂酰胆碱(DOPC)/1,2-二棕榈酸甘油-3-磷脂酰胆碱(DPPC)(摩尔比为1:1)和DOPC/DPPC/Chol(摩尔比为2:2:1)单层膜, 对单层膜内分子间的相互作用进行了热力学分析, 并用荧光显微镜和原子力显微镜对其形态进行了观测.热力学分析表明, DOPC与DPPC分子在单层膜结构中相互作用为排斥力, 诱导单层膜出现相变; DOPC, DPPC与胆固醇(Chol)间的相互作用均为吸引力, 当表面压力(π)大于18 mN/m时, DPPC与胆固醇的作用力大于DOPC.荧光显微镜观测表明, DOPC/DPPC单层膜出现明显相分离现象, 富含DPPC微区成“花形”结构, 且随着表面压力的升高微区逐渐增大, “花瓣”增多; 当胆固醇加入到DOPC/DPPC体系时, 单层膜相态由液相与凝胶相共存转变为液态无序相与液态有序相共存结构, 富含DPPC的微区形状从“花形”转变成“圆形”.原子力显微镜对单层膜的表征验证了荧光显微镜的观测结果, 表明胆固醇加入到DOPC/DPPC体系中对单层膜排列具有明显的影响, 压力和溶液状态等是影响脂膜结构的重要因素.     

Specific adsorption of cytochrome C on cardiolipin-glycerophospholipid monolayers and bilayers

In this study, we examined the adsorption of cytochrome c (cyt c) on monolayers and liposomes formed from (i) pure 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE), or cardiolipin (CL) and on (ii) the more thermodynamically stable binary mixtures of POPE/CL (0.8:0.2 mol/mol) and POPC/CL (0.6:0.4 mol/mol). Constant surface pressure experiments showed that the maximum and minimum interactions occurred in the pure CL (anionic phospholipid) and the pure POPE (zwitterion) monolayers, respectively. Observation by atomic force microscopy (AFM) of the images of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films extracted at 30 mN m-1 suggests that the different interactions of cyt c with POPE/CL and the POPC/CL monolayers could be due to lateral phase separation occurring in the POPE/CL mixture. The competition between 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) and cyt c for the same binding sites in liposomes that have identical nominal compositions with respect to those of the monolayers was used to obtain binding parameters. In agreement with the monolayer experiments, the most binding was observed in POPE/CL liposomes. All of our observations strongly support the existence of selective adsorption of cyt c on CL, which is modulated differently by different neutral phospholipids (POPE and POPC).     

Membrane association and contact formation by a synthetic analogue of polymyxin B and its fluorescent derivatives

sP-B is a synthetic analogue of the natural lipopeptide antibiotic polymyxin B (PxB) that maintains the ability of the parent compound to form vesicle-vesicle contacts and induce lipid exchange. Exchange is selective, and only monoanionic phospholipids such as 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-sn-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG) are transferred, whereas dianionic phospholipids such as 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-sn-3-phosphate (POPA) are not, as shown by fluorescence experiments based on the excimer/monomer ratio of pyrene-labeled phospholipids. Synthetic fluorescent analogues of sP-B are used to investigate the peptide position and orientation in the intermembrane contacts: sP-Bw, an analogue that contains D-tryptophan (D-Trp) instead of the naturally occurring D-phenylalanine, and sP-Bpy, incorporating a pyrene group at the N-terminus. Tryptophan fluorescence, anisotropy, and quenching measurements performed with sP-Bw indicate that the peptide binds and inserts in anionic vesicles of POPG and POPA. However, significant differences are seen depending on the lipid composition, as also demonstrated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments from Trp to 7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol (NBD) groups at the interface. Intermolecular FRET using sP-Bw as the donor and sP-Bpy as the acceptor indicates self-association of the peptide, possibly forming dimers, when bound to POPG vesicles at concentrations that induce the vesicle-vesicle contacts.