ISSN:
1432-1017
Keywords:
Key words Melittin
;
Phosphatidylcholine
;
Phosphatidic acid
;
Cholesterol
;
Membrane defects
;
31P-NMR
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Since many studies on peptide-membrane interactions are carried out only with fluid phase lipid bilayers (L α -phase, absence of cholesterol) we have investigated whether this phase is really a suitable model for biological membranes. For this purpose the action of melittin on zwitterionic and negatively charged phospholipid bilayers, in the absence and presence of 30 mol% cholesterol, was investigated by solid state 31P-NMR. From the NMR point of view, it appears that systems composed of a single phospholipid best mimic the sterol-containing system a few degrees below the gel-to-fluid phase transition, i. e., in the rippled phase (P β' ). It is then proposed that a relatively rigid membrane containing local defects, rather than a L α -bilayer, is required as an appropriate model for natural membranes when probing the action of melittin. Such requirements might be crucial when studying peptide-lipid interactions.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002490050017
Permalink
