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beta-Rich self-assembly is a major structural class of polypeptides, but still little is known about its atomic structures and biophysical properties. Major impediments for structural and biophysical studies of peptide self-assemblies include their insolubility and heterogeneous composition. We have developed a model system, termed peptide self-assembly mimic (PSAM), based on the single-layer beta-sheet of Borrelia outer surface protein A. PSAM allows for the capture of a defined number of self-assembly-like peptide repeats within a water-soluble protein, making structural and energetic studies possible. In this work, we extend our PSAM approach to a highly hydrophobic peptide sequence. We show that a penta-Ile peptide (Ile(5)), which is insoluble and forms beta-rich self-assemblies in aqueous solution, can be captured within the PSAM scaffold in a form capable of self-assembly. The 1.1-A crystal structure revealed that the Ile(5) stretch forms a highly regular beta-strand within this flat beta-sheet. Self-assembly models built with multiple copies of the crystal structure of the Ile(5) peptide segment showed no steric conflict, indicating that this conformation represents an assembly-competent form. The PSAM retained high conformational stability, suggesting that the flat beta-strand of the Ile(5) stretch primed for self-assembly is a low-energy conformation of the Ile(5) stretch and rationalizing its high propensity for self-assembly. The ability of the PSAM to "solubilize" an otherwise insoluble peptide stretch suggests the potential of the PSAM approach to the characterization of self-assembling peptides.

Apolipoprotein E plays a critical role in plasma lipoprotein clearance. Peptide models of a highly conserved, N-terminal domain of this protein have been shown to increase the binding of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to fibroblast cell surfaces independently of the low density lipoprotein receptor. Here we provide data to show that these peptides not only increase the binding of LDL, but also of high density lipoprotein, though not acetylated LDL. We also have data suggesting that this novel activity is mediated, at least in part, by a member of the scavenger receptor family, SR-AI. Furthermore, we show that this activity is also prominent in macrophages, a cell relevant to atherogenesis. In addition, this current paper provides evidence suggesting that this complex binding activity is initiated by a peptide-receptor interaction, and that our peptides are able to induce activity at physiologically relevant concentrations. This study provides evidence for a possible novel receptor interaction and further anti-atherogenic properties of apolipoprotein E and raises the possibility of a therapeutic potential of our peptide models.

We demonstrate a new method for investigating the structure of self-associating biopolymers using dipolar recoupling NMR techniques. This approach was applied to the study of fibrillar beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides (the primary component of the plaques of Alzheimer's disease) containing only a single isotopic spin label (13C), by employing the DRAWS (dipolar recoupling with a windowless sequence) technique to measure 13C-13C distances. The 'single-label' approach simplified analysis of DRAWS data, since only interstrand contacts are present, without the possibility of any intrastrand contacts. As previously reported [T.L.S. Benzinger, D.M. Gregory, T.S. Burkoth, H. Miller-Auer, D.G. Lynn, R.E. Botto, S.C. Meredith, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 95 (1998) 13407.], contacts of approximately 5 A were observed at all residues studied, consistent with an extended parallel beta-sheet structure with each amino acid in exact register. Here, we propose that our strategy is completely generalizable, and provides a new approach for characterizing any iterative, self-associating biopolymer. Towards the end of generalizing and refining our approach, in this paper we evaluate several issues raised by our previous analyses. First, we consider the effects of double-quantum (DQ) transverse relaxation processes. Next, we discuss the effects of various multiple-spin geometries on modeling of DRAWS data. Several practical issues are also discussed: these include (1) the use of DQ filtering experiments, either to corroborate DRAWS data, or as a rapid screening assessment of the proper placement of isotopic spin labels; and (2) the comparison of solid samples prepared by either lyophilization or freezing. Finally, data obtained from the use of single labels is compared with that obtained in doubly 13C-labeled model compounds of known crystal structure. It is shown that such data are obtainable in far more complex peptide molecules. These data,taken together, refine the DRAWS method, and demonstrate its precision and utility in obtaining high resolution structural data in complex biomolecular aggregates such as Abeta.