Dynamics Study of Transmembrane Helix within Liposomes by Mass Spectrometry and Chemical Modification

We investigated the topology and dynamics of melittin within the liposomes using mass spectrometry combined with acetylation. According to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MALDI-QIT-TOF MS/MS) analyses, melittin within the liposomes was mono acetylated; with the acetylated position being the N-terminal of melittin. This acetylation followed first-order kinetics. The rate constant was less than that of the acetylation of melittin in aqueous solution. Thus, it is suggested that the observed rate constant is that for the release of the N-terminal region of melittin to a water phase from the hydrophobic core of the liposomes. This approach has opened a new method in the study of dynamics of transmembrane helices within the membranes using mass spectrometry.