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The twin arginine translocase (Tat) exports folded proteins across bacterial membranes. The putative pore-forming or membrane-weakening component (TatA

A labeling strategy for in vivo

The lateral pressure profile constitutes an important physical property of lipid bilayers, influencing the binding, insertion, and function of membrane-active peptides, such as antimicrobial peptides. In this study, we demonstrate that the lateral pressure profile can be manipulated using the peptides residing in different regions of the bilayer. A 19F-labeled analogue of the amphiphilic peptide PGLa was used to probe the lateral pressure at different depths in the membrane. To evaluate the lateral pressure profile, we measured the orientation of this helical peptide with respect to the membrane using solid-state 19F-NMR, which is indicative of its degree of insertion into the bilayer. Using this experimental approach, we observed that the depth of insertion of the probe peptide changed in the presence of additional peptides and, furthermore, correlated with their location in the membrane. In this way, we obtained a tool to manipulate, as well as to probe, the lateral pressure profile in membranes.

In this study, we considered changes in the surface chemistry after introducing fluorine into the surface layer of nanoporous activated carbon (BAU) produced from the birch wood. Here, we examined the BAU treated with 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane at the selected temperature in the range of 400–800 °C. Diverse methods, including chemical analysis, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, SEM–EDS, XPS, and 19F solid-state NMR, were used for the characterization of the prepared materials. It was found that one can introduce from 0.17 to 0.42 mmol of F per gram of BAU using fluoroalkylation at 400–500 °C. Increasing the temperature to 600 °C increases the fluorination efficiency, and the relatively high fluorine content of 1.86 mmol of F per gram of BAU can be reached. At least three group types, namely, C–F, CF2, and CF3 groups, were found by XPS and 19F solid-state NMR after such treatment. The content of “semi-ionic” fluorine drastically increases in the surface layer after high-temperature fluoroalkylation at 700 °C and 800 °C. This “semi-ionic” fluorine, in the form of C–F and CF2 groups, is directly conjugated with the π-electron system of the carbon matrix.

International audience; TAT-RasGAP 317–326 is a cell-penetrating peptide-based construct with anticancer and antimicrobial activities. This peptide kills a subset of cancer cells in a manner that does not involve known programmed cell death pathways. Here we have elucidated the mode of action allowing TAT-RasGAP 317–326 to kill cells. This peptide binds and disrupts artificial membranes containing lipids typically enriched in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, such as phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) and phosphatidylserine (PS). Decreasing the amounts of PIP 2 in cells renders them more resistant to TAT-RasGAP 317–326 , while reducing the ability of cells to repair their plasma membrane makes them more sensitive to the peptide. The W317A TAT-RasGAP 317–326 point mutant, known to have impaired killing activities, has reduced abilities to bind and permeabilize PIP 2 - and PS-containing membranes and to translocate through biomembranes, presumably because of a higher propensity to adopt an α-helical state. This work shows that TAT-RasGAP 317–326 kills cells via a form of necrosis that relies on the physical disruption of the plasma membrane once the peptide targets specific phospholipids found on the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane.

Pinholin S2168 triggers the lytic cycle of bacteriophage φ21 in infected Escherichia coli. Activated transmembrane dimers oligomerize into small holes and uncouple the proton gradient. Transmembrane domain 1 (TMD1) regulates this activity, while TMD2 is postulated to form the actual “pinholes.” Focusing on the TMD2 fragment, we used synchrotron radiation-based circular dichroism to confirm its α-helical conformation and transmembrane alignment. Solid-state 15N-NMR in oriented DMPC bilayers yielded a helix tilt angle of τ = 14°, a high order parameter (Smol = 0.9), and revealed the azimuthal angle. The resulting rotational orientation places an extended glycine zipper motif (G40xxxS44xxxG48) together with a patch of H-bonding residues (T51, T54, N55) sideways along TMD2, available for helix–helix interactions. Using fluorescence vesicle leakage assays, we demonstrate that TMD2 forms stable holes with an estimated diameter of 2 nm, as long as the glycine zipper motif remains intact. Based on our experimental data, we suggest structural models for the oligomeric pinhole (right-handed heptameric TMD2 bundle), for the active dimer (right-handed Gly-zipped TMD2/TMD2 dimer), and for the full-length pinholin protein before being triggered (Gly-zipped TMD2/TMD1-TMD1/TMD2 dimer in a line).

An in vivo study of a photoswitchable cytotoxic peptide LMB040 has been undertaken on a chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma model in immunocompetent rats. We analysed the pharmacokinetic profile of the less toxic photoform (“ring-closed” dithienylethene) of the compound in tumors, plasma, and healthy liver. Accordingly, the peptide can reach a tumor concentration sufficiently high to exert a cytotoxic effect upon photoconversion into the more active (“ring-open”) photoform. Tissue morphology, histology, redox state of the liver, and hepatic biochemical parameters in blood serum were analysed upon treatment with (i) the less active photoform, (ii) the in vivo light-activated alternative photoform, and (iii) compared with a reference chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. We found that application of the less toxic form followed by a delayed in vivo photoconversion into the more toxic ring-open form of LMB040 led to a higher overall survival of the animals, and signs of enhanced immune response were observed compared to the untreated animals.

A bicyclic peptide scaffold was chemically adapted to generate diarylethene‐based photoswitchable inhibitors of serine protease Bos taurus trypsin 1 (T1). Starting from a prototype molecule—sunflower trypsin inhibitor‐1 (SFTI‐1)—we obtained light‐controllable inhibitors of T1 with Ki in the low nanomolar range, whose activity could be modulated over 20‐fold by irradiation. The inhibitory potency as well as resistance to proteolytic degradation were systematically studied on a series of 17 SFTI‐1 analogues. The hydrogen bond network that stabilizes the structure of inhibitors and possibly the enzyme–inhibitor binding dynamics were affected by isomerization of the photoswitch. The feasibility of manipulating enzyme activity in time and space was demonstrated by controlled digestion of gelatin‐based hydrogel and an antimicrobial peptide BP100‐RW. Finally, our design principles of diarylethene photoswitches are shown to apply also for the development of other serine protease inhibitors., Bicyclic diarylethene‐containing analogues of the sunflower trypsin inhibitor‐1 (SFTI‐1) can modulate activity of serine proteases in the nanomolar–micromolar range in highly efficient photocontrollable manner.

The surface of microporous Norit® GAC 830 W carbon was fluoroalkylated by heating in 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane at 400 and 500 °C. Elemental analysis, FTIR ATR spectroscopy, and TG studies showed the presence of ∼0.1–0.7 mmol g−1 of the fluorine-containing groups. Nitrogen adsorption measurements and quenched solid density functional theory simulations proved an increase in the mesoporosity. By combining the results of solid-state 19F NMR and XPS analyses, we determined the functionalization of the carbon surface with CF, CF3, and CF2 fluorine-containing groups. Supercapacitor electrodes prepared from these materials were subjected to the charge-discharge tests and electrical impedance measurements. During galvanostatic cycling in the aqueous 30% KOH, they showed an enhanced charge capacitance compared to the parent (830 W) and the reference (Supra 30) carbons. These observations suggest that the fluoroalkylated surface and the modified microporous structure have an additive effect on capacitance parameters of carbon electrodes studied in symmetric, negative and positive modes. The fluoroalkylation caused an increase in the surface capacitance up to 38%. Herein, we demonstrate the fluoroalkylation is a simple way to increase a capacitance of carbon electrodes.

Pinholin S(21)68 triggers the lytic cycle of bacteriophage φ21 in infected Escherichia coli. Activated transmembrane dimers oligomerize into small holes and uncouple the proton gradient. Transmembrane domain 1 (TMD1) regulates this activity, while TMD2 is postulated to form the actual “pinholes.” Focusing on the TMD2 fragment, we used synchrotron radiation-based circular dichroism to confirm its α-helical conformation and transmembrane alignment. Solid-state (15)N-NMR in oriented DMPC bilayers yielded a helix tilt angle of τ = 14°, a high order parameter (S(mol) = 0.9), and revealed the azimuthal angle. The resulting rotational orientation places an extended glycine zipper motif (G(40)xxxS(44)xxxG(48)) together with a patch of H-bonding residues (T(51), T(54), N(55)) sideways along TMD2, available for helix–helix interactions. Using fluorescence vesicle leakage assays, we demonstrate that TMD2 forms stable holes with an estimated diameter of 2 nm, as long as the glycine zipper motif remains intact. Based on our experimental data, we suggest structural models for the oligomeric pinhole (right-handed heptameric TMD2 bundle), for the active dimer (right-handed Gly-zipped TMD2/TMD2 dimer), and for the full-length pinholin protein before being triggered (Gly-zipped TMD2/TMD1-TMD1/TMD2 dimer in a line).

Analogs of the known inhibitor (peptide pDI) of the p53/MDM2 protein–protein interaction are reported, which are stapled by linkers bearing a photoisomerizable diarylethene moiety. The corresponding photoisomers possess significantly different affinities to the p53-interacting domain of the human MDM2. Apparent dissociation constants are in the picomolar-to-low nanomolar range for those isomers with diarylethene in the “open” configuration, but up to eight times larger for the corresponding “closed” isomers. Spectroscopic, structural, and computational studies showed that the stapling linkers of the peptides contribute to their binding. Calorimetry revealed that the binding of the “closed” isomers is mostly enthalpy-driven, whereas the “open” photoforms bind to the protein stronger due to their increased binding entropy. The results suggest that conformational dynamics of the protein-peptide complexes may explain the differences in the thermodynamic profiles of the binding.

This study evaluates the embryotoxicity of dithienylethene-modified peptides upon photoswitching, using 19 analogues based on the β-hairpin scaffold of the natural membranolytic peptide gramicidin S. We established an in vivo assay in two variations (with ex vivo and in situ photoisomerization), using larvae of the model organism Danio rerio, and determined the toxicities of the peptides in terms of 50% lethal doses (LD50). This study allowed us to: (i) demonstrate the feasibility of evaluating peptide toxicity with D. rerio larvae at 3–4 days post fertilization, (ii) determine the phototherapeutic safety windows for all peptides, (iii) demonstrate photoswitching of the whole-body toxicity for the dithienylethene-modified peptides in vivo, (iv) re-analyze previous structure–toxicity relationship data, and (v) select promising candidates for potential clinical development.

Miniaturization and parallelization of combinatorial organic synthesis is important to accelerate the process of drug discovery while reducing the consumption of reagents and solvents. This work presents a miniaturized platform for on-chip solid-phase combinatorial library synthesis with UV-triggered on-chip cell screening. The platform is based on a nanoporous polymer coating on a glass slide, which is modified via photolithography to yield arrays of hydrophilic (HL) spots surrounded by superhydrophobic (SH) surface. The combination of HL spots and SH background enables confinement of nanoliter droplets, functioning as miniaturized reactors for the solid-phase synthesis. The polymer serves as support for nanomolar solid-phase synthesis, while a photocleavable linker enables the release of the synthesized compounds into the droplets containing live cells. A 588 compound library of bisamides is synthesized via a four-component Ugi reaction on the chip and products are detected via stamping of the droplet array onto a conductive substrate and subsequent matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. The light-induced cleavage shows high flexibility in screening conditions by spatial, temporal, and quantitative control.

Diarylethene derivatives, the biological activity of which can be reversibly changed by irradiation with light of different wavelengths, have shown promise as scientific tools and as candidates for photocontrollable drugs. However, examples demonstrating efficient photocontrol of their biological activity are still relatively rare. This concept article discusses the possible reasons for this situation and presents a critical analysis of existing data and hypotheses in this field, in order to extract the design principles enabling the construction of efficient photocontrollable diarylethene-based molecules. Papers addressing biologically relevant interactions between diarylethenes and biomolecules are analyzed; however, in most published cases, the efficiency of photocontrol in living systems remains to be demonstrated. We hope that this article will encourage further discussion of design principles, primarily among pharmacologists, synthetic and medicinal chemists.

Peptaibols are promising drug candidates in view of their interference with cellular membranes. Knowledge of their lipid interactions and membrane-bound structure is needed to understand their activity and should be, in principle, accessible by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. However, their unusual amino acid composition and noncanonical conformations make it very challenging to find suitable labels for NMR spectroscopy. Particularly in the case of short sequences, new strategies are required to maximize the structural information that can be obtained from each label. Herein, l-3-(trifluoromethyl)bicyclopent[1.1.1]-1-ylglycine, (R)- and (S)-trifluoromethylalanine, and 15 N-backbone labels, each probing a different direction in the molecule, have been combined to elucidate the conformation and membrane alignment of harzianin HK-VI. For the short sequence of 11 amino acids, 12 orientational constraints have been obtained by using 19 F and 15 N NMR spectroscopy. This strategy revealed a β-bend ribbon structure, which becomes realigned in the membrane from a surface-parallel state towards a membrane-spanning state, with increasing positive spontaneous curvature of the lipids.

The cell-penetrating peptide SAP, which was designed as an amphipathic poly-l-proline helix II (PPII), was suggested to self-assemble into regular fibrils that are relevant for its internalization. Herein we have analyzed the structure of SAP in the membrane-bound state by solid-state 19F-NMR, which revealed other structural states, in addition to the expected surface-aligned PPII. Trifluoromethyl-bicyclopentyl-glycine (CF3-Bpg) and two rigid isomers of trifluoromethyl-4,5-methanoprolines (CF3-MePro) were used as labels for 19F-NMR analysis. The equilibria between different conformations of SAP were studied and were found to be shifted by the substituents at Pro-11. Synchrotron-CD results suggested that substituting Pro-11 by CF3-MePro governed the coil-to-PPII equilibrium in solution and in the presence of a lipid bilayer. Using CD and 19F-NMR, we examined the slow kinetics of the association of SAP with membranes and the dependence of the SAP conformational dynamics on the lipid composition. The peptide...

Despite extensive use of arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs)-including octaarginine (R8)-as intracellular delivery vectors, mechanisms for their internalization are still under debate. Lipid packing in live cell membranes was characterized using a polarity-sensitive dye (di-4-ANEPPDHQ), and evaluated in terms of generalized polarization. Treatment with membrane curvature-inducing peptides led to significant loosening of the lipid packing, resulting in an enhanced R8 penetration. Pyrenebutyrate (PyB) is known to facilitate R8 membrane translocation by working as a hydrophobic counteranion. Interestingly, PyB also actively induced membrane curvature and perturbed lipid packing. R8 is known to directly cross cell membranes at elevated concentrations. The sites of R8 influx were found to have looser lipid packing than surrounding areas. Lipid packing loosening is proposed as a key factor that governs the membrane translocation of CPPs.

Stapling of side chains to stabilize an α-helical structure has been generally associated with an increased uptake of CPPs. Here, we compare four amphiphilic stapled peptides with their linear counterparts in terms of their membrane binding and conformational features in order to correlate these with uptake efficiency and toxicological effects. The impact of lactam stapling was found to vary strongly with regard to the different aspects of peptide-membrane interactions. Nearly all stapled peptides caused less membrane perturbation (vesicle leakage, hemolysis, bacterial lysis) than their linear counterparts. In one case (MAP-1) where stapling enhanced α-helicity in aqueous and lipid environments, leakage was eliminated while cell uptake in HEK293 and HeLa cells remained high, which improved the overall characteristics. The other systems (DRIM, WWSP, KFGF) did not improve, however. The data suggest that cell uptake of amphipathic CPPs correlates with their adopted α-helix content in membranes rather than their helicity in solution.

Conformationally constrained non-racemizing trifluoromethyl-substituted lysine isosteres [(E)- and (Z)-TCBLys] with charged side chains are presented as a new type of 19F-NMR labels for peptide studies. Design of the labels, their synthesis, incorporation into peptides and experimental demonstration of their application for solid state NMR studies of membrane-active peptides are described. A series of fluorine-labeled analogues of the helical amphipathic antimicrobial peptide PGLa(Nle) was obtained, in which different lysine residues in the original peptide sequence were replaced, one at a time, by either (E)- or (Z)-TCBLys. Antimicrobial activities of the synthesized analogues were practically the same as those of the parent peptide. The structural and orientational parameters of the helical PGLa(Nle) peptide in model bilayers, as determined using the novel labels confirmed and refined the previously known structure. (E)- and (Z)-TCBLys, as a set of cationic 19F-NMR labels, were shown to deliver structural information about the charged face of amphipathic peptides by solid state 19F-NMR, previously inaccessible by this method.

A conformationally restricted monofluorinated α-amino acid, (3-fluorobicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl)glycine (F-Bpg), was designed as a label for the structural analysis of membrane-bound peptides by solid-state 19 F NMR spectroscopy. The compound was synthesized and validated as a 19 F label for replacing natural aliphatic α-amino acids. Calculations suggested that F-Bpg is similar to Leu/Ile in terms of size and lipophilicity. The 19 F NMR label was incorporated into the membrane-active antimicrobial peptide PGLa and provided information on the structure of the peptide in a lipid bilayer.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacterium known to cause serious human infections, especially in immune-compromised patients. This is due to its unique ability to transform from a drug-tolerant planktonic to a more dangerous and treatment-resistant sessile life form, called biofilm. Recently, two derivatives of the frog skin antimicrobial peptide esculentin-1a, i.e. Esc(1-21) and its D-amino acids containing diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c, were characterized for their powerful anti-Pseudomonal activity against both forms. Prevention of biofilm formation already in its early stages could be even more advantageous for counteracting infections induced by this bacterium. In this work, we studied how the diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c can inhibit Pseudomonas biofilm formation in comparison to the parent peptide and two clinically-used conventional antibiotics, i.e. colistin and aztreonam, when applied at dosages below the minimal growth inhibitory concentration. Biofilm prevention was correlated to the peptides' ability to inhibit Pseudomonas motility and to reduce the production of virulent metabolites, for example, pyoverdine and rhamnolipids. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism underlying these activities was evaluated by studying the peptides' effect on the expression of key genes involved in the virulence and motility of bacteria, as well as by monitoring the peptides' binding to the bacterial signaling nucleotide ppGpp. Our results demonstrate that the presence of only two D-amino acids in Esc(1-21)-1c is sufficient to downregulate ppGpp-mediated expression of biofilm-associated genes, presumably as a result of higher peptide stability and therefore prolonged interaction with the nucleotide. Overall, these studies should assist efficient design and optimization of new anti-infective agents with multiple pharmacologically beneficial properties.

Solid-state 19F-NMR is a valuable tool in structural studies of membrane-associated peptides. Progress in this area became possible after successful design and synthesis of the fluorine-contained amino acids suitable to substitute natural amino acid residues in the peptides without compromising their structure and properties. These amino acids (labels) are incorporated into the molecules of the studied peptides and provide structural constraints for the labeled peptides embedded into oriented lipid bilayers under quasinatural conditions. The chapter overviews the literature on the design, synthesis, and validation of the labels. Recent examples of the label applications to study membrane-active peptides are given.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacterium known to cause serious human infections, especially in immune-compromised patients. This is due to its unique ability to transform from a drug-tolerant planktonic to a more dangerous and treatment-resistant sessile life form, called biofilm. Recently, two derivatives of the frog skin antimicrobial peptide esculentin-1a, i.e. Esc(1-21) and its D-amino acids containing diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c, were characterized for their powerful anti-Pseudomonal activity against both forms. Prevention of biofilm formation already in its early stages could be even more advantageous for counteracting infections induced by this bacterium. In this work, we studied how the diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c can inhibit Pseudomonas biofilm formation in comparison to the parent peptide and two clinically-used conventional antibiotics, i.e. colistin and aztreonam, when applied at dosages below the minimal growth inhibitory concentration. Biofilm prevention was correlated to the peptides' ability to inhibit Pseudomonas motility and to reduce the production of virulent metabolites, for example, pyoverdine and rhamnolipids. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism underlying these activities was evaluated by studying the peptides' effect on the expression of key genes involved in the virulence and motility of bacteria, as well as by monitoring the peptides' binding to the bacterial signaling nucleotide ppGpp. Our results demonstrate that the presence of only two D-amino acids in Esc(1-21)-1c is sufficient to downregulate ppGpp-mediated expression of biofilm-associated genes, presumably as a result of higher peptide stability and therefore prolonged interaction with the nucleotide. Overall, these studies should assist efficient design and optimization of new anti-infective agents with multiple pharmacologically beneficial properties.

Photoisomerizable diarylethenes equipped with triple bonds are promising building blocks for constructing bistable photocontrollable systems. Here we report on the design, synthesis and application of a cross-linking reagent which is based on a diarylethene core and features two strained cyclooctynes. High reactivity of the cyclooctyne rings in catalyst-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions was suggested to stem from the additional strain imposed by the fused thiophene rings. This hypothesis was confirmed by quantum chemical calculations

Conventional photodynamic treatment strategies are based on the principle of activating molecular oxygen in situ by light, mediated by a photosensitizer, which leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species and thereby causes cell death. A diarylethene-derived peptidomimetic is presented that is suitable for photodynamic cancer therapy without any involvement of oxygen. This light-sensitive molecule is not a mediator but is itself the cytotoxic agent. As a derivative of the cyclic amphiphilic peptide gramicidin S, the peptidomimetic exists in two thermally stable photoforms that are interconvertible by light of different wavelengths. The isomer generated by visible light shows much stronger toxicity against tumor cells than the UV-generated isomer. First in vivo applications are demonstrated on a tumor animal model to illustrate how the peptidomimetic can be administered in the less toxic form and then activated locally in a solid tumor by visible light.

Modulating the structural dynamics of biomembranes by inducing bilayer curvature and lipid packing defects has been highlighted as a practical tool to modify membrane-dependent cellular processes. Previously, we have reported on an amphipathic helical peptide derived from the N-terminal segment (residues 1-18, EpN18) of epsin-1, which can promote membrane remodeling including lipid packing defects in cell membranes. However, a high concentration is required to exhibit a pronounced effect. In this study, we demonstrate a significant increase in the membrane-remodeling effect of EpN18 by constructing a branched EpN18 homotrimer. Both monomer and trimer could enhance cell internalization of octaarginine (R8), a cell-penetrating peptide. The EpN18 trimer, however, promoted the uptake of R8 at an 80-fold lower concentration than the monomer. Analysis of the generalized polarization of a polarity-sensitive dye (di-4-ANEPPDHQ) revealed a higher efficacy of trimeric EpN18 in loosening the lipid packing in the cell membrane. Circular dichroism measurements in the presence of lipid vesicles showed that the EpN18 trimer has a higher α-helix content compared with the monomer. The stronger ability of the EpN18 trimer to impede negative bilayer curvature is also corroborated by solid-state 31P NMR spectroscopy. Hence, trimerizing peptides can be considered a promising approach for an exponential enhancement of their membrane-remodeling performance.

Five series (28 structures) of photoswitchable β-hairpin peptides were synthesized based on the cyclic scaffold of the natural antibiotic gramicidin S. Cell-type selectivity was compared for all activated (diarylethene “ring-open”) and deactivated (“ring-closed”) forms in terms of antibacterial activity (MIC against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis), anticancer activity (IC50 against HeLa cell line), and hemolytic cytotoxicity (HC50 against human erythrocytes). Correlations between the conformational plasticity of the peptides, their hydrophobicity, and their bioactivity were also analyzed. Considerable improvements in selectivity were achieved compared to the reference compound. We found a dissociation of the anticancer activity from hemolysis. Phototherapeutic indices (PTI), HC50(closed)/MIC(open) and HC50(closed)/IC50(open), were introduced for the peptides as safety criteria. The highest PTI for HeLa-selective toxicity were observed among analogues containing hydroxyleucine on the hydrophobic fa...

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) assembles into amyloid fibrils that facilitate infection by HIV. Its peptide fragments PAP(248–286) and PAP(85–120) also enhance attachment of the virus by viral adhesion to the host cell prior to receptor-specific binding via reducing the electrostatic repulsion between the membranes of the virus and the target cell. The secondary structure of monomeric PAP(248–286) in a biomembrane-mimicking environment can be separated into an N-terminal unordered region, an α-helical central domain, and an α/310-helical C-terminal section (Nanga et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 131:17972–17979, 2009). In this work, we used two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D NMR) spectroscopy techniques to study spatial structures of isolated central [PAP(262–270)] and C-terminal [PAP(274–284)] fragments of PAP(248–286) in SDS micelle solutions. NMR studies revealed the formation of complexes of both peptides with SDS micelles, with attraction to the micelle membranes occurring mainly through nonpolar and uncharged residues of the peptides. We demonstrate that, when interacting with SDS micelles, PAP(262–270) and PAP(274–284) form α-helical and 310-helical secondary structures, respectively, similar to that found previously for the 39-residue PAP(248–286).

Peptaibols are promising drug candidates in view of their interference with cellular membranes. Knowledge of their lipid interactions and membrane-bound structure is needed to understand their activity and should be, in principle, accessible by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. However, their unusual amino acid composition and noncanonical conformations make it very challenging to find suitable labels for NMR spectroscopy. Particularly in the case of short sequences, new strategies are required to maximize the structural information that can be obtained from each label. Herein, l-3-(trifluoromethyl)bicyclopent[1.1.1]-1-ylglycine, (R)- and (S)-trifluoromethylalanine, and

Microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of harzianin HK VI (HZ) interacting with a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer were performed at the condition of low peptide-to-lipid ratio. Two orientations of HZ molecule in the bilayer were found and characterized. In the orientation perpendicular to the bilayer surface, HZ induces a local thinning of the bilayer. When inserted into the bilayer parallel to its surface, HZ is located nearly completely within the hydrophobic region of the bilayer. A combination of solid-state NMR and circular dichroism experiments found the latter orientation to be dominant. An extended sampling simulation provided qualitative results and showed the same orientation to be a global minimum of free energy. The secondary structure of HZ was characterized, and it was found to be located in the 310-helical family. The specific challenges of computer simulation of nonpolar peptides are discussed briefly.

For the first time, the photoisomerization of a diarylethene moiety (DAET) in peptide conjugates was used to probe the effects of molecular rigidity/flexibility on the structure and behavior of model peptides bound to lipid membranes. The DAET unit was incorporated into the backbones of linear peptide-based constructs, connecting two amphipathic sequences (derived from the β-stranded peptide (KIGAKI)3 and/or the α-helical peptide BP100). A β-strand-DAET-α-helix and an α-helix-DAET-α-helix models were synthesized and studied in phospholipid membranes. Light-induced photoisomerization of the linker allowed the generation of two forms of each conjugate, which differed in the conformational mobility of the junction between the α-helical and/or the β-stranded part of these peptidomimetic molecules. A detailed study of their structural, orientational and conformational behavior, both in isotropic solution and in phospholipid model membranes, was carried out using circular dichroism and solid-state 19F-NMR spectroscopy. The study showed that the rigid and flexible forms of the two conjugates had appreciably different structures only when embedded in an anisotropic lipid environment and only in the gel phase. The influence of the rigidity/flexibility of the studied conjugates on the lipid thermotropic phase transition was also investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Both models were found to destabilize the lamellar gel phases., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • DAET building blocks can be used to study rigidity/flexibility effects in supramolecular model systems. • Photoswitchable DAET linkers perturb only up to 3–4 adjacent amino acid residues. • Membrane-bound amphiphilic secondary structure elements exert a negligible influence on each other when linked by DAET. • The rigidity of peptide conjugates affected their structural behavior only in the lipid gel phase.