alpha-Helix formation in melittin and beta-lactoglobulin A induced by fluorinated dialcohols

Helix induction in melitting and beta-lactoglobulin A is enhanced by fluorinated diols with the order to efficiency 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol (TFBD) < 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1,6-pentanediol (HFPD) < 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,-octafluoro-1,6-hexanediol (OFHD). The negligible red-edge excitation shift in the fluorescence of melittin has shown that the fluorinated diol/water solvent shell surrounding the tryptophan chromophore is less immobilized than is molecules in a lamellar vesicle.