Melittin induces HII phase formation in cardiolipin model membranes

Ultrastructural variability of mitochondrial cristae induced in vitro by bee (Apis mellifera) venom and its derivatives, melittin and phospholipase A2, in isolated rat adrenocortical mitochondria

We tested the ability of bee venom (BV), melittin (Mlt), and phospholipase A2 (PLA) - used in 5 concentrations each (5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 μg/100 μl) - to promote ultrastructural changes and reorganization of cristae in vitro in mitochondria isolated from rat adrenal cortex after a protocol optimized by us. Thus, apart from two control grups (CI and CS), in which the mitochondria were suspended into saline buffer and isolation medium respectively, 15 more groups of mitochondria were constituted, corresponding to the five different doses of the three substance tested (BV5 to M40; M5 to M40 and P5 to P40). The ultrastructural effects were quantified on transmission electron micrographs using a morphometry software. Values of 84.49 nm and 95.45 nm were calculated for median diameters of mitochondrial cristae in two control groups. Large and very large vesicular cristae, many with 2 or 3 membranes, were generated depending on dose among normal cristae in all treated groups. In the BV and Mlt treated groups, after an initial increase (up to 127.27 nm in V15 group and 151.2 nm in M10 group) due to stimulation of cristae fusion, the cristae diameter diminished as the doses increased, mainly by the collapse of the cristae. In the PLA treated groups, the cristae diameter increased continuously from 83.84 nm to 136.01 nm, by stimulated fusion of cristae, only the two largest doses promoting the collapse of cristae in some mitochondria. The highest percentage of abnormal cristae was found in the Mlt treated groups and next in BV treated groups. All substances tested produced pronounced ultrastructural variability of mitochondrial cristae in vitro: they also changed (depending on dose) mitochondrial shapes, generated matrix debris and the highest concentrations of BV and Mlt were responsible for mitochondrial breakdown. These ultrastructural alterations of mitochondrial criste in the presence of the BV molecules suggest a reduced capacity of adrenocortical mitochondria to synthetize steroid hormones consequently to BV envenomations and partially explain the toxic effects of the BV.

The Mechanism by Which Luteolin Disrupts the Cytoplasmic Membrane of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most versatile human pathogens. Luteolin (LUT) has anti-MRSA activity by disrupting the MRSA cytoplasmic membrane. However, the mechanism by which luteolin disrupts the membrane remains unclear. Here, we performed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and all-atomic molecular dynamics (AA-MD) simulations to investigate the interactions and effects of LUT on model membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). We detected the transition thermodynamic parameters of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes, dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) liposomes, and liposomes composed of both DPPC and DPPG at different LUT concentrations and showed that LUT molecules were located between polar heads and the hydrophobic region of DPPC/DPPG. In the MD trajectories, LUT molecules ranging from 5 to 50 had different effects on the membranes thickness, fluidity and ordered property of lipids, and lateral pressure of lipid bilayers composed of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG). Also, most LUT molecules were distributed in the region between the phosphorus atoms and C9 atoms of DOPC and DOPG. On the basis of the combination of these results, we conclude that the distinct effects of LUT on lipid bilayers composed of PCs and PGs may elucidate the mechanism by which LUT disrupts the cytoplasmic membrane of MRSA.

Detergent-like actions of linear amphipathic cationic antimicrobial peptides

Antimicrobial peptides have raised much interest as pathogens become resistant against conventional antibiotics. We review biophysical studies that have been performed to better understand the interactions of linear amphipathic cationic peptides such as magainins, cecropins, dermaseptin, delta-lysin or melittin. The amphipathic character of these peptides and their interactions with membranes resemble the properties of detergent molecules and analogies between membrane-active peptide and detergents are presented. Several models have been suggested to explain the pore-forming, membrane-lytic and antibiotic activities of these peptides. Here we suggest that these might be 'special cases' within complicated phase diagrams describing the morphological plasticity of peptide/lipid supramolecular assemblies.

Cell selectivity correlates with membrane-specific interactions: a case study on the antimicrobial peptide G15 derived from granulysin

A 15-residue peptide dimer G15 derived from the cell lytic protein granulysin has been shown to exert potent activity against microbes, including E. coli, but not against human Jurkat cells [Z. Wang, E. Choice, A. Kaspar, D. Hanson, S. Okada, S.C. Lyu, A.M. Krensky, C. Clayberger, Bactericidal and tumoricidal activities of synthetic peptides derived from granulysin. J. Immunol. 165 (2000) 1486-1490]. We investigated the target membrane selectivity of G15 using fluorescence, circular dichroism and 31P NMR methods. The ANS uptake assay shows that the extent of E. coli outer membrane disruption depends on G15 concentration. 31P NMR spectra obtained from E. coli total lipid bilayers incorporated with G15 show disruption of lipid bilayers. Fluorescence binding studies on the interaction of G15 with synthetic liposomes formed of E. coli lipids suggest a tight binding of the peptide at the membrane interface. The peptide also binds to negatively charged POPC/POPG (3:1) lipid vesicles but fails to insert deep into the membrane interior. These results are supported by the peptide-induced changes in the measured isotropic chemical shift and T1 values of POPG in 3:1 POPC:POPG multilamellar vesicles while neither a non-lamellar phase nor a fragmentation of bilayers was observed from NMR studies. The circular dichroism studies reveal that the peptide exists as a random coil in solution but folds into a less ordered conformation upon binding to POPC/POPG (3:1) vesicles. However, G15 does not bind to lipid vesicles made of POPC/POPG/Chl (9:1:1) mixture, mimicking tumor cell membrane. These results explain the susceptibility of E. coli and the resistance of human Jurkat cells to G15, and may have implications in designing membrane-selective therapeutic agents.

Influence of the lipid composition on the kinetics of concerted insertion and folding of melittin in bilayers

We have examined the kinetics of the adsorption of melittin, a secondary amphipathic peptide extracted from bee venom, on lipid membranes using three independent and complementary approaches. We probed (i) the change in the polarity of the 19Trp of the peptide upon binding, (ii) the insertion of this residue in the apolar core of the membrane, measuring the 19Trp-fluorescence quenching by bromine atoms attached on lipid acyl chains, and (iii) the folding of the peptide, by circular dichroism (CD). We report a tight coupling of the insertion of the peptide with its folding as an alpha-helix. For all the investigated membrane systems (cholesterol-containing, phosphoglycerol-containing, and pure phosphocholine bilayers), the decrease in the polarity of 19Trp was found to be significantly faster than the increase in the helical content of melittin. Therefore, from a kinetics point of view, the formation of the alpha-helix is a consequence of the insertion of melittin. The rate of melittin folding was found to be influenced by the lipid composition of the bilayer and we propose that this was achieved by the modulation of the kinetics of insertion. The study reports a clear example of the coupling existing between protein penetration and folding, an interconnection that must be considered in the general scheme of membrane protein folding.

A Salmonella SipB-derived polypeptide blocks the 'trigger' mechanism of bacterial entry into eukaryotic cells

Entry into non-phagocytic mammalian cells by the invasive pathogens Salmonella and Shigella is triggered by the delivery of bacterial virulence effector proteins into the host cell. This is dependent upon Salmonella SipB or its Shigella homologue IpaB, which insert into the eukaryotic cell plasma membrane. Here we show that a SipB-derived 166 residue alpha-helical polypeptide is a potent inhibitor of SipB-directed liposome fusion in vitro, preventing the membrane-associated form of SipB from inserting deeply into the bilayer. This polypeptide blocks Salmonella entry into cultured mammalian cells at 10(-10) M, and is a heterologous inhibitor of analogous IpaB activity and Shigella cell entry. These findings reveal a potential strategy to identify inhibitors of the 'trigger' mechanism underlying cell entry by these major invasive pathogens.

Melittin-GM1 interaction: a model for a side-by-side complex

We report here the interaction of melittin with ganglioside GM1 by steady-state fluorescence, one-dimensional (1)H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. In the presence of GM1 the emission maximum of melittin is blue shifted and fluorescence quenching efficiencies of iodide and acrylamide are substantially reduced, indicating a shielding of tryptophan of melittin from aqueous environment. Significant line broadening of NMR resonances of melittin, suggestive of motional restriction, is observed. Molecular modeling indicates a melittin-GM1 complex with N-terminal hydrophobic stretch of melittin associating with the ceramide tail and C-terminal hydrophilic end of melittin having favorable electrostatic interaction with the carbohydrate head group of GM1.

ADP ribosylation factor 6 binding to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-containing vesicles creates defects in the bilayer structure: an electron spin resonance study

The effects of binding of myristoylated ADP ribosylation factor 6 (myr-ARF6), an activator of phospholipase D (PLD), to a model membrane were investigated using an electron spin resonance (ESR) labeling technique. Initial studies were conducted in vesicles composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP(2)), and cholesterol. Recombinant ARF6 binding significantly enhances defects in both the headgroup and acyl-chain regions of the membrane, which are revealed by the emergence of sharp components in the spectra from a headgroup label, 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy-choline (DPPTC), and a chain label, 10PC, after myr-ARF6 binding. Binding of non-myristoylated ARF6 (non-ARF6) shows markedly reduced effects. Interestingly, no change in spectra from DPPTC was observed upon myr-ARF6 binding when PIP(2) in the vesicles was replaced by other negatively charged lipids, including phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylglycerol, even when normalized for charge. The production of the sharp peak appears to be a specific event, because another GTP binding protein, CDC42, which binds PIP(2) and activates PLD, fails to induce changes in vesicle structure. These results suggest a previously unappreciated role for ARF in mediating a protein/lipid interaction that produces defects in lipid bilayers. This function may serve as an initial event in destabilizing membrane structure for subsequent membrane fusion or biogenesis of vesicles.

The lipid charge density at the bilayer surface modulates the effects of melittin on membranes

The influence of melittin on two DMPA membrane systems at pH 4.2 and 8.2 has been investigated by solid-state 31P and 2H NMR, as a function of temperature and peptide concentration. Melittin promotes greater morphological changes for both systems in the fluid phase, the effect being larger at pH 4.2. Close inspection of fatty acyl chain dynamics suggests that some parallels can be drawn between the DMPA/melittin at pH 8.2 and PC/melittin systems. In addition, at pH 8.2 a direct neutralization at the interface of one of the lipid negative charges by a positive charge of the peptide occurs, as can be monitored by 31P NMR at the molecular level. For the system at pH 4.2 and at high temperature, a lipid-to-peptide molar ratio of 30 is sufficient to transform the whole system into an isotropic phase, proposed to be inverted micelles. When the system is cooled down towards the gel phase one observes an intermediate hexagonal phase in a narrow range of temperature.

The structure, dynamics and orientation of antimicrobial peptides in membranes by multidimensional solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Linear peptide antibiotics have been isolated from amphibians, insects and humans and used as templates to design cheaper and more potent analogues for medical applications. Peptides such as cecropins or magainins are < or = 40 amino acids in length. Many of them have been prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis with isotopic labels incorporated at selected sites. Structural analysis by solid-state NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical techniques indicates that these peptide antibiotics strongly interact with lipid membranes. In bilayer environments they exhibit amphipathic alpha-helical conformations and alignments of the helix axis parallel to the membrane surface. This contrasts the transmembrane orientations observed for alamethicin or gramicidin A. Models that have been proposed to explain the antibiotic and pore-forming activities of membrane-associated peptides, as well as other experimental results, include transmembrane helical bundles, wormholes, carpets, detergent-like effects or the in-plane diffusion of peptide-induced bilayer instabilities.

The monolayer technique: a potent tool for studying the interfacial properties of antimicrobial and membrane-lytic peptides and their interactions with lipid membranes

Erudites of the antiquity already knew the calming effect of oil films on the sea waves. But one had to wait until 1774 to read the first scientific report on oil films from B. Franklin and again 1878 to learn the thermodynamic analysis on adsorption developed by J. Gibbs. Then, in 1891, Agnes Pockels described a technique to manipulate oil films by using barriers. Finally, in 1917, I. Langmuir introduced the experimental and theoretical modern concepts on insoluble monolayers. Since that time, and because it has been found to provide invaluable information at the molecular scale, the monolayer technique has been more and more extensively used, and, during the past decade, an explosive increase in the number of publications has occurred. Over the same period, considerable and ever-increasing interest in the antimicrobial peptides of various plants, bacteria, insects, amphibians and mammals has grown. Because many of these antimicrobial peptides act at the cell membrane level, the monolayer technique is entirely suitable for studying their physicochemical and biological properties. This review describes monolayer experiments performed with some of these antimicrobial peptides, especially gramicidin A, melittin, cardiotoxins and defensin A. After giving a few basic notions of surface chemistry, the surface-active properties of these peptides and their behavior when they are arranged in monomolecular films are reported and discussed in relation to their tridimensional structure and their amphipathic character. The penetration of these antimicrobial peptides into phospholipid monolayer model membranes, as well as their interactions with lipids in mixed films, are also emphasized.

Orientational behavior of phospholipid membranes with mastoparan studied by 31P solid state NMR

Solid state 31P NMR spectroscopy was used to study the perturbing effect of the wasp venom peptide mastoparan (MP) on lipid bilayers composed of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG). The 31P chemical shift anisotropy of multilamellar vesicles decreased with increasing peptide concentration, indicating that MP interacts strongly and selectively with the charged DMPG head group. Macroscopically oriented MP-lipid samples between glass plates were studied by 31P NMR as a function of tilt angle. These spectra showed the coexistence of orientation-dependent lamellar signals as well as an isotropic peak, suggesting that MP can induce non-lamellar phases in DMPC/DMPG membranes.

A biophysical study of integral membrane protein folding

In order to characterize the thermodynamic constraints on the process of integral membrane protein folding and assembly, we have conducted a biophysical dissection of the structure of bacteriorhodopsin (BR), a prototypical alpha-helical integral membrane protein. Seven polypeptides were synthesized, corresponding to each of the seven transmembrane alpha-helices in BR, and the structure of each individual polypeptide was characterized in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles. Five of the seven polypeptides form stable transmembrane alpha-helices in isolation from the remainder of the tertiary structure of BR. However, using our reconstitution protocols, the polypeptide corresponding to the F helix in BR does not form any stable secondary structure in reconstituted vesicles, and the polypeptide corresponding to the G helix forms a hyperstable beta-sheet structure with its strands oriented perpendicular to the plane of the membrane. [The polypeptide corresponding to the C helix spontaneously equilibrates in a pH-dependent manner between a transmembrane alpha-helical conformation, a peripherally bound nonhelical conformation, and a fully water soluble conformation; the conformational properties of this polypeptide are the subject of the accompanying paper: Hunt et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 15177-15192.] Our observations suggest that the folding of alpha-helical integral membrane proteins may proceed spontaneously. However, the preference for a non-native conformation exhibited by two of the polypeptides suggests that the formation of some transmembrane substructures could require external constraints such as the links between the helices, interactions with the rest of the protein, or the involvement of cellular chaperones or translocases. Our results also suggest a strategy for improving the thermodynamic stability of alpha-helical integral membrane proteins, a goal that could facilitate attempts to overexpress and/or refold them.

Critical role of lipid composition in membrane permeabilization by rabbit neutrophil defensins

We have examined the interactions of the six known rabbit neutrophil defensin antimicrobial peptides with large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) made from various lipid mixtures based on the lipid composition of Escherichia coli membranes. We find that the permeabilization of LUV made from E. coli whole lipid extracts differs dramatically from that of single-component LUV made from palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG). Specifically, defensins NP-1, NP-2, NP-3A, NP-3B, and a natural mixture of the six defensins cause fast nonpreferential leakage of high molecular weight dextrans as well as the low molecular weight fluorophore/quencher pair 8-aminonapthalene-1,3,6 trisulfonic acid (ANTS)/p-xylene-bis-pyridinium bromide (DPX) from E. coli whole lipid LUV through large, transient membrane lesions. In contrast, release of ANTS/DPX from POPG LUV induced by the defensins is slow and graded with preference for DPX (Hristova, K., Selsted, M. E., and White, S. H. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 11888-11894). Interestingly, defensins NP-4 and NP-5 alone do not induce leakage from E. coli whole lipid LUV, whereas only NP-4 is ineffective with POPG LUV. Examination of the sequences of the six defensins suggests that the inactivity of NP-4 and NP-5 may be due to their lower net positive charge and/or the substitution of a Thr for the Arg or Lys that follows the fourth Cys residue. We found the presence of three major lipid components of E. coli whole lipid to be essential for creation of the large lesions observed in LUV: phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and cardiolipin. Cardiolipin appears to play a key role because no leakage can be induced when only phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine are present. These results indicate the importance of membrane lipid composition in the permeabilization of cell membranes by rabbit defensins.

Interaction of bee venom melittin with zwitterionic and negatively charged phospholipid bilayers: a spin-label electron spin resonance study

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to study the penetration and interaction of bee venom melittin with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and ditetradecylphosphatidylglycerol (DTPG) bilayer membranes. Melittin is a surface-active, amphipathic peptide and serves as a useful model for a variety of membrane interactions, including those of presequences and signal peptides, as well as the charged subdomain of the cardiac regulatory protein phospholamban. Derivatives of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol spin-labeled at various positions along the sn-2 acyl chain were used to establish the chain flexibility gradient for the two membranes in the presence and absence of melittin. Negatively charged DTPG bilayer membranes showed a higher capacity for binding melittin without bilayer disruption than did membranes formed by the zwitterionic DMPC, demonstrating the electrostatic neutralization of bound melittin by DTPG. The temperature dependence of the ESR spectra showed that the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition is eliminated by binding melittin to DTPG bilayers, whereas a very broad transition remains in the case of DMPC bilayers. None of the spin labels used showed a two-component spectrum characteristic of a specific restriction of their chain motion by melittin, but the outer hyperfine splittings and effective chain order parameters were increased for all labels upon binding melittin. This indicates a reduced flexibility of the lipid chains induced by a surface orientation of the bound melittin. Whereas the characteristic shape of the chain flexibility gradient was maintained upon melittin addition to DMPC bilayers, the chain flexibility profile in DTPG bilayers was much more strongly perturbed. It was found that the steepest change in segmental flexibility was shifted toward the bilayer interior when melittin was bound to DTPG membranes, indicating a greater depth of penetration than in DMPC membranes. pH titration of stearic acid labeled at the C-5 position, used as a probe of interfacial interactions, showed net downward shifts in interfacial pK of 0.8 and 1.2 pH units contributed from the positive charge of melittin, outweighing upward shifts from interfacial dehydration, when melittin was bound to DTPG and DMPC, respectively. The perturbation of the outer hyperfine splitting was used to determine the interactions of melittin with spin-labeled lipids of different polar headgroups in DTPG and DMPC. Anionic lipids (phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, and stearic acid) and zwitterionic lipids (phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine) had the largest outer splittings in the presence of melittin. Neutral lipids (protonated stearic acid and diacylglycerol) displayed the largest increase in outer splitting on binding melittin, which was attributed to a change in the vertical location of these lipids in the bilayer. Both effects were more pronounced in DTPG than in DMPC.

Lateral diffusion in planar lipid bilayers: a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching investigation of its modulation by lipid composition, cholesterol, or alamethicin content and divalent cations

In spite of the fact that planar lipid bilayers are still the best-suited artificial membrane system for the study of reconstituted ion channels and receptors, data dealing with their physical characterization, especially as regards dynamics, are scanty. A combined electrical and optical chamber was designed and allowed fluorescence recovery after photobleaching recovery curves to be recorded from stable virtually solvent-free bilayers. D, the lateral diffusion coefficient of N-(7-nitrobenzoyl-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, was found to be relatively insensitive to the phospholipid composition (headgroup, chain unsaturation, etc.), whereas inclusion of 33-50% cholesterol in the membrane reduced D by a factor of 2. Divalent cations significantly reduced D of negatively charged bilayers. These results compare well with data gathered on other model and natural systems. In addition, the incorporation of the voltage-dependent pore-former alamethicin did slightly reduce lipid lateral mobility. This study demonstrates the feasibility of such experiments with planar bilayers, which are amenable to physical constraints, and thus offers new opportunities for systematic studies of structure-function relationships in membrane-associating molecules.

Interaction of the lantibiotic nisin with membranes revealed by fluorescence quenching of an introduced tryptophan

Nisin is a lantibiotic produced by strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. The target for nisin action is the cytoplasmic membrane of gram-positive bacteria. To aid understanding of its mode of action, the interaction of nisin with vesicles of differing phospholipid composition were investigated by fluorescence techniques, using a variant of nisin in which the isoleucine at position 30 was replaced by a tryptophan residue. Activity of the site-directed variant containing tryptophan was established to be similar to that of the wild-type peptide. Fluorescence experiments showed a blue shift of the emission wavelength maximum in the presence of lipid vesicles, indicating that the tryptophan residue enters a more hydrophobic environment. Quenching experiments with aqueous and membrane-restricted quenchers (iodide and spin-labelled lipids, respectively) both confirmed a non-aqueous environment for the Trp30 residue, and implied that the residue resides between 0.36 nm and 0.52 nm from the centre of the membrane, depending on the lipid identity. The results clearly demonstrate that nisin interacts strongly with the hydrophobic phase of lipid vesicles. This interaction is stronger in the presence of negatively charged lipids suggesting their importance in the functional interaction of nisin with membranes.

Interaction between cardiolipin and the mitochondrial presequence of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV favours lipid mixing without destabilizing the bilayer structure

We demonstrate the ability of a peptide corresponding to the presequence of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV to induce lipid mixing between large unilamellar liposomes. This lipid mixing requires the presence of CL or PE, lipids able to form non-bilayer structures, and is not observed with other negatively charged lipids. However, the fact that this mixing occurs without mixing of the liposome aqueous phases and without destabilizing the lipid organisation is unusual and has not been observed for other amphiphilic peptides. This observation supports the idea that the presequence could play a role in the formation of translocation contact sites between the two mitochondrial membranes and facilitate the structural rearrangements of the outer and inner membrane proteins involved in the two import machineries in a way to permit the formation of a continuous import channel through the two mitochondrial membranes without mixing the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial aqueous contents.

Acyl chain length dependence in the stability of melittin-phosphatidylcholine complexes. A light scattering and 31P-NMR study

Light scattering and 31P-NMR have been used to monitor the effect of the bee-toxin, melittin, on phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayers of variable acyl chain length (from C16:0 to C20:0). Melittin interacts with all lipids provided the interaction is initiated in the lipid fluid phase. For low-to-moderate amounts of toxin (lipid-peptide molar ratios, Ri > or = 15), the system takes the form of large spheroidal vesicles, in the fluid phase, whose radius increases from 750 A with dipalmitoyl-PC (DPPC) to 1500 A with diarachinoyl-PC (DAPC). These vesicles fragment into small discoids of 100-150 A radius when the system is cooled down below Tc (the gel-to-fluid phase transition temperature). Little chain length dependence is observed for the small objects. Small structures are also detected independently of the physical state of lipids (gel or fluid) when Ri < or = 5 and provided the interaction has been made above Tc. Small discs clearly characterized for DPPC and distearoyl-PC (DSPC) lipids are much less stable with DAPC. However in the long term, all these small structures fuse into large lipid lamellae. Discs are thermodynamically unstable and kinetics of disappearance of the small lipid-toxin complexes increases as the chain length increases in the sense: DAPC >> DSPC > DPPC. Kinetics of fusion of the small discs into extended bilayers is described by a pseudo-first-order law involving a lag time after which fusion starts. Increasing the chain length decreases the lag time and increases the rate of fusion. Formation of both the large vesicles in the fluid phase and the small discs in the gel phase as well as their stability is discussed in terms of relative shapes and dynamics of both lipids and toxin.

Modulation of melittin-induced lysis by surface charge density of membranes

Phosphorus NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize the importance of electrostatic interactions in the lytic activity of melittin, a cationic peptide. The micellization induced by melittin has been characterized for several lipid mixtures composed of saturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) and a limited amount of charged lipid. For these systems, the thermal polymorphism is similar to the one observed for pure PC: small comicelles are stable in the gel phase and extended bilayers are formed in the liquid crystalline phase. Vesicle surface charge density influences strongly the micellization. Our results show that the presence of negatively charged lipids (phospholipid or unprotonated fatty acid) reduces the proportion of lysed vesicles. Conversely, the presence of positively charged lipids leads to a promotion of the lytic activity of the peptide. The modulation of the lytic effect is proposed to originate from the electrostatic interactions between the peptide and the bilayer surface. Attractive interactions anchor the peptide at the surface and, as a consequence, inhibit its lytic activity. Conversely, repulsive interactions favor the redistribution of melittin into the bilayer, causing enhanced lysis. A quantitative analysis of the interaction between melittin and negatively charged bilayers suggests that electroneutrality is reached at the surface, before micellization. The surface charge density of the lipid layer appears to be a determining factor for the lipid/peptide stoichiometry of the comicelles; a decrease in the lipid/peptide stoichiometry in the presence of negatively charged lipids appears to be a general consequence of the higher affinity of melittin for these membranes.

31P NMR phospholipid characterization of intracranial tumors

Phospholipid extracts from 48 intracranial tumors were analyzed using 31P NMR. Phospholipids commonly identified in the tumor spectra included phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidic acid (PA), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), uncharacterized phospholipid (U), ethanolamine plasmalogen (EPLAS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), sphingomyelin (SM), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), a choline phospholipid (CPLIP), and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Differences in the mean relative mole-percentage of phosphorus concentrations of individual phospholipids were used to differentiate among tumors. Neural sheath tumors (neurilemmoma, neurofibroma and fibrosarcoma) were noted to contain significantly elevated levels of SM relative to tumors of neural glial origin and individually, glioblastoma multiforme was noted to contain depressed levels of SM relative to neurilemmoma, neurofibroma and meningioma. Significantly decreased levels of PA were noted for glioblastoma relative to neurilemmoma along with significantly decreased levels of PE relative to meningioma. Elevated levels of LPC and CPLIP were seen in glioblastoma multiforme relative to meningioma. Additional findings included elevated levels of PC for glioblastoma multiforme relative to neurofibroma, and neurilemmoma was differentiated from neurofibroma with elevated levels of PA and depressed levels of PI. 31P NMR phospholipid analysis provides supplemental biochemical information which may be used to improve the interpretation of spectra acquired in vivo, and reveals important tumor-specific biochemical information which may further improve the understanding of the biological behavior of intracranial tumors.

Cell membrane changes induced by the cytolytic peptide, melittin, are detectable by 90 degrees laser scatter

The 90 degrees light scatter parameter of the flow cytometer was used to observe changes in the membrane of human lymphoblastoid cells (HMy2) as a result of the action of the cytolytic peptide, melittin. There was a rapid and concentration-dependent increase in 90 degrees light scatter after incubation of the cells with melittin, with the level of 90 degrees light scatter reaching a maximum after 2 min. Even after all the cells were killed, as determined by ethidium bromide incorporation, the 90 degrees light scatter continued to increase. Further, the 90 degrees light scatter changes were temperature dependent. The data are consistent with the formation of lipid vesicles, either attached to the cell membrane or intracellular, as confirmed by electron microscopy of cells treated with melittin. The results demonstrate the use of the flow cytometer to detect changes in the integrity of the cell membrane.

Interactions of synapsin I with phospholipids: possible role in synaptic vesicle clustering and in the maintenance of bilayer structures

Synapsin I is a synaptic vesicle-specific phosphoprotein composed of a globular and hydrophobic head and of a proline-rich, elongated and basic tail. Synapsin I binds with high affinity to phospholipid and protein components of synaptic vesicles. The head region of the protein has a very high surface activity, strongly interacts with acidic phospholipids and penetrates the hydrophobic core of the vesicle membrane. In the present paper, we have investigated the possible functional effects of the interaction between synapsin I and vesicle phospholipids. Synapsin I enhances both the rate and the extent of Ca(2+)-dependent membrane fusion, although it has no detectable fusogenic activity per se. This effect, which appears to be independent of synapsin I phosphorylation and localized to the head region of the protein, is attributable to aggregation of adjacent vesicles. The facilitation of Ca(2+)-induced liposome fusion is maximal at 50-80% of vesicle saturation and then decreases steeply, whereas vesicle aggregation does not show this biphasic behavior. Association of synapsin I with phospholipid bilayers does not induce membrane destabilization. Rather, 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated that synapsin I inhibits the transition of membrane phospholipids from the bilayer (L alpha) to the inverted hexagonal (HII) phase induced either by increases in temperature or by Ca2+. These properties might contribute to the remarkable selectivity of the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic plasma membrane during exocytosis.

A novel property of a mitochondrial presequence. Its ability to induce cardiolipin-specific interbilayer contacts which are dissociated by a transmembrane potential

A new property of the presequence of the mitochondrial precursor protein cytochrome oxidase subunit IV is presented. This mitochondrial presequence induces interbilayer contacts between large unilamellar vesicles consisting of phosphatidylcholine and cardiolipin. The presequence-vesicle aggregates can be dissociated by applying a membrane potential across the bilayers (negative inside). These effects require the presence of cardiolipin and are not observed for other negatively charged phospholipids. We propose a role for the presequence in the formation and dissociation of mitochondrial contact sites.

Fusion activity of an amphiphilic polypeptide having acidic amino acid residues: generation of fusion activity by alpha-helix formation and charge neutralization

A sequential polypeptide, poly(Glu-Aib-Leu-Aib) (Aib represents 2-aminoisobutyric acid), was synthesized and the pH-dependence of fusogenic activity of the polypeptide was studied. The polypeptide was designed to take amphiphilic structure upon the formation of alpha-helix. Circular dichroism spectra of the polypeptide showed a negative Cotton effect with double minima, indicative of an alpha-helical conformation. The alpha-helix content was increased with lowering pH and/or increasing the ionic strength. It was found that the polypeptide induces remarkable leakage of calcein from egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) vesicles loaded in the inner aqueous phase with lowering pH and/or increasing ionic strength. The polypeptide caused fusion of EYPC liposomes and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes more strongly with decreasing pH. Moreover, two distinct increases of fusogenic activity of the polypeptide were observed near pH 6.0 and below pH 4.5. The former corresponds to the midpoint of pH-dependent change in helical content of the polypeptide and the latter the pKa of the gamma-carboxyl group of glutamic acid. These results indicate that elevation of the fusogenic activity of the polypeptide is related to the increase in two factors, alpha-helix content and hydrophobicity.

Modulation by glycosphingolipids of membrane-membrane interactions induced by myelin basic protein and melittin

The effect of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) with oligosaccharide chains of different length and charge on membrane-membrane interactions induced by myelin basic protein (MBP) or melittin (Mel) was comparatively investigated with small unilamellar vesicles. MBP induces a fast vesicle aggregation and close membrane apposition. Merging of lipid bilayers and vesicle fusion induced by MBP are slower and less extensive processes compared to membrane apposition. The changes of membrane permeability concomitant to these phenomena are small. The Trp region of MBP remains in a rather polar environment when interacting with vesicles; its accessibility to NO3- or acrylamide quenching depends on the type of GSLs in the membrane. The Trp region of Mel is inserted more deeply into the lipid bilayer and its accessibility to the aqueous quenchers is less dependent on variations of the oligosaccharide chain of the GSLs. Mel induces a faster and more extensive membrane apposition and bilayer merging than does MBP. Extensive vesicle disruption occurs in the presence of Mel. Negatively charged GSLs facilitate membrane proximity and vesicle aggregation but an increase of the oligosaccharide chain length of either neutral or acidic GSLs decreases the interaction among vesicles that are induced by either protein. This effect is independent of the different mode of insertion of MBP and Mel into the membrane. Our results suggest that the modulation by the oligosaccharide chain on the protein-induced interactions between bilayers containing GSLs is probably exerted beyond the level of local molecular interactions between the basic proteins and the lipids.

Nonlamellar phases formed by membrane lipids

A brief review of membrane lipids forming cubic and reversed hexagonal phases is presented. An emphasis is made on anionic lipids and particular microbial lipids.

Calorimetry of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum: incorporation of alamethicin, melittin, valinomycin, and nonactin

The development and application of model membrane systems on the basis of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum has been proposed. In this respect incorporation of membrane proteins and ionophores is indispensable and is demonstrated in the case of alamethicin, melittin, nonactin, and valinomycin by calorimetry. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dihexadecylmaltosylglycerol (DHMG) were chosen for comparison. Melittin and alamethicin prove to broaden the lipid phase transition and to reduce the melting temperature Tm and enthalpy change (delta H) of the main phospholipid from T. acidophilum (MPL) and DPPC. The decrease in Tm, however, is more pronounced in DPPC than in MPL. Valinomycin shows only a marginal effect on the temperature and width of the transition; delta H is reduced in MPL and remains constant in DPPC and DHMG. With nonactin the phase transition of DPPC is quenched, and delta H and the half-height width are increased. DHMG is affected to a lesser extent and MPL only marginally. The four ionophores exhibit different modulation of the phase transition behavior of the various lipids as expected from their varying molecular structures. Thus, the integral membrane protein alamethicin, the peripheral protein melittin, valinomycin, and nonactin interact primarily with lipid head groups and are readily incorporated into the tetraether lipid structures.

Melittin-induced alterations in dynamic properties of human red blood cell membranes

The interaction of bee venom melittin with erythrocyte membrane ghosts has been investigated by means of fluorescence quenching of membrane tryptophan residues, fluorescence polarization and ESR spectroscopy. It has been revealed that melittin induces the disorders in lipid-protein matrix both in the hydrophobic core of bilayer and at the polar/non-polar interface of melittin complexed with erythrocyte membranes. The peptide has been found to act most efficiently at the concentration of the order of 10(-10) mol/mg membrane protein. The apparent distance separating the membrane tryptophan and bound 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate (ANS) molecules is decreased upon melittin binding, which results in a significant increase of the maximum energy transfer efficiency. Significant changes in the fluorescence anisotropy of both 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate bound to erythrocyte ghosts, which have been observed in the presence of melittin and crude venom, indicate membrane lipid bilayer rigidization. The effect of crude honey bee venom has been found to be of similar magnitude as the effect of pure melittin at the concentration of 10(-10) mol/mg membrane protein. Using two lipophilic spin labels, methyl 5-doxylpalmitate and 16-doxylstearic acid, we found that melittin at its increasing concentrations induces a well marked rigidization in the deeper regions of lipid bilayer, whereas the effect of rigidization near the membrane surface maximizes at the melittin concentration of 10(-10) mol/mg (10(-4) mol melittin per mole of membrane phospholipid). The decrease in the ratio hw/hs of maleimide and the rise in relative rotational correlation time (tau c) of iodacetamid spin label, indicate that melittin effectively immobilizes membrane proteins in the plane of the lipid bilayer. We conclude that melittin-induced rigidization of the lipid bilayer may induce a reorganization of lipid assemblies as well as the rearrangements in membrane protein pattern and consequently the alterations in lipid-protein interactions. Thus, the interaction of melittin with erythrocyte membranes is supposed to produce local conformational changes in membranes, which are discussed in the connection with their significance during the synergistic action of melittin and phospholipase of bee venom on red blood cells.

A water-lipid interface induces a highly dynamic folded state in apocytochrome c and cytochrome c, which may represent a common folding intermediate

In this study, we have used CD and NMR techniques to investigate the secondary structure of (apo-) cytochrome c both in solution and when associated with micelles. In aqueous solution, the holoprotein cytochrome c is tightly folded at secondary and tertiary levels and differs strongly from its random-coiled precursor. However, in the presence of 12-PN/12-Pglycol (9:1) micelles, we observed a remarkable resemblance between the CD spectra of these partially helical proteins. The water-lipid interface induces a secondary folding of apocytochrome c, whereas cytochrome c is suggested to partially lose its tertiary structure. The exchange of all amide protons and, using deuterium-labeled proteins, of all amide deuterons with the solvent was monitored by NMR. A rapid exchange rate was observed, indicating that these folding states are highly dynamic. Saturation-transfer NMR of micelle-associated apocytochrome c showed that the exchange takes place at the (sub-) second time scale. The holoprotein in the presence of micelles was found to have two distinct exchange rates: (1) a fast rate, comparable to that found for the micelle-associated precursor and 4.5 times slower than that of the random-coiled apocytochrome c, and (2) a slow rate which is 75 times slower than the precursor in solution. Urea denaturation studies showed the micelle-bound proteins to have a low helix stability, which explains the inability of the lipid-induced secondary structure to prevent its labile protons from rapid exchange. The uniqueness of this lipid-induced highly dynamic folding state of (apo-) cytochrome c is demonstrated by comparison with amphiphilic polypeptides like melittin, and its implications for membrane translocation and functioning are discussed.

Anthrylvinyl-labeled phospholipids as fluorescent membrane probes. The action of melittin on multilipid systems

The interaction of melittin with multicomponent lipid mixtures composed of phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylglycerol was investigated by measuring the intrinsic fluorescence of the peptide, steady state fluorescence anisotropy of, and Trp-fluorescence energy transfer to fluorescent analogs of the same phospholipids bearing the anthrylvinyl fluorophore in one of the aliphatic chains at various distances from the polar head group. Based on the finding that at high lipid/peptide ratio the peptide induces unequal changes in the fluorescence parameters of phospholipid probes differing structurally only in their polar head groups, it is concluded that melittin induces lipid demixing in its nearest environment. Comparison of the fluorescence energy transfer from Trp to different lipid probes indicates that the depth of penetration of melittin into the bilayer depends on the polar head group composition of the phospholipid matrix and that certain segments of the melittin chain display a specific affinity for a given lipid head group.

Investigation of the interaction between melittin and dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol bilayers by vibrational spectroscopy

Melittin is shown to affect the structure of the charged phospholipid dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG). In the gel phase, the presence of melittin leads to (i) an increased lipid interchain vibrational coupling, (ii) a shift of the rectangular to hexagonal lipid packing transition toward low temperatures, (iii) a very small conformational disordering effect, (iv) a decrease of the polarity or hydrogen bonding capability of the lipid ester group surrounding, (v) an important decrease of the water content in the complexes where the remaining water has a more disordered structure than bulk water, and (vi) an interlamellar repeat distance of 79 A. All these observations are rationalized by the following model: adjacent bilayers of DPPG are bridged by tetramers of melittin through electrostatic interactions inducing surface charge neutralization and partial dehydration of the complexes. Melittin also affects the thermotropic behavior of DPPG. When a small amount of the toxin is present, its affinity for charged lipids is such that a phase separation occurs, the domains being stable enough to have their own gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition. In the fluid state, a deeper penetration into the lipid matrix is proposed based on the downshift of the phase transition and the low vibrational interchain coupling. This study brings out general features of cationic species/anionic lipid complexes. The charge neutralization leads to stronger interchain coupling, and electrostatic bridging of adjacent bilayers seems to be common. The hydrophobicity of the peptide is a key factor in the modulation of the gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition and in its insertion in the fluid lipid matrix.

Effective charge of melittin upon interaction with POPC vesicles

The binding of bee venom melittin to small unilamellar vesicles and large nonsonicated multilamellar bilayer membranes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) was studied by means of circular dichroism, 31P-NMR and electrophoretic mobility. The melittin binding isotherm for small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) could be described by a partition equilibrium with Kp = (6 +/- 1).10(4) M-1. Electrostatic effects were taken into account by means of the Gouy-Chapman theory. Combining the partition equilibrium with the Gouy-Chapman analysis suggested an effective charge for melittin of Zp = 1.9, which is lower than the true electric charge of 5-6. The variation of the 31P-NMR signal of SUV showed the change in potential at the phosphodiester moiety of the lipid upon addition of melittin. This potential change was lower than that for an ion with an electrical charge of 5-6 and corresponded to a charge of 1.5. Electrophoretic mobility measurements with multilamellar vesicles confirmed the charge reduction effect. These experimental results show that the use of the simple Gouy-Chapman theory requires an effective electrical charge of the melittin which is lower than the formal charge.

Effects of melittin on molecular dynamics and Ca-ATPase activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes: time-resolved optical anisotropy

We have studied the effect of melittin, a basic membrane-binding peptide, on Ca-ATPase activity and on protein and lipid dynamics in skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), using time-resolved phosphorescence and fluorescence spectroscopy. Melittin completely inhibits Ca-ATPase activity, with half-maximal inhibition at 9 +/- 1 mol of melittin bound to the membrane per mole of ATPase (0.1 mol of melittin per mole of lipid). The time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA) decay of the Ca-ATPase labeled with erythrosin isothiocyanate (ERITC) shows that melittin restricts microsecond protein rotational motion. At 25 degrees C in the absence of melittin, the TPA is characterized by three decay components, corresponding to a rapid segmental motion (correlation time phi 1 = 2-3 microseconds), the uniaxial rotation of monomers or dimers (phi 2 = 16-22 microseconds), and the uniaxial rotation of larger oligomers (phi 3 = 90-140 microseconds). The effect of melittin is primarily to decrease the fraction of the more mobile monomer/dimer species (A2) while increasing the fractions of the larger oligomer (A3) and very large aggregates (A infinity). Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of the lipid-soluble probe diphenylhexatriene (DPH) shows only a slight increase in the lipid hydrocarbon chain effective order parameter, corresponding to an increase in lipid viscosity that is too small to account for the large decrease in protein mobility or inhibition of Ca-ATPase activity. Thus the inhibitory effect of melittin correlates with its capacity to aggregate the Ca-ATPase and is consistent with previously reported inhibition of this enzyme under conditions that increase protein-protein interactions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Polymorphic phospholipid phase transitions as tools to understand peptide-lipid interactions

The effect of peptides on bilayer----non-bilayer phase transitions can be used as a tool to investigate the molecular aspects of peptide-lipid interactions. In this contribution the action on membranes of the peptide antibiotic gramicidin A and the bee venom component melittin are compared. Although the known structures and locations of these peptides upon membrane binding are very different, their actions on membranes show striking parallels. A general model is proposed that explains the seemingly complex peptide-lipid interactions by making use of simple concepts.

Membrane fusion

The factors involved in the regulation of biological membrane fusion and models proposed for the molecular mechanism of biomembrane fusion are reviewed. The results obtained in model systems are critically discussed in the light of the known properties of biomembranes and characteristics of biomembrane fusion. Biological membrane fusion is a local-point event; extremely fast, non-leaky, and under strict control. Fusion follows on a local and most probably protein-modulated destabilization, and a transition of the interacting membranes from a bilayer to a non-bilayer lipid structure. The potential role of type II non-bilayer preferring lipids and of proteins in the local destabilization of the membranes is evaluated. Proteins are not only responsible for the mutual recognition of the fusion partners, but are most likely also to be involved in the initiation of biomembrane fusion, by locally producing or activating fusogens, or by acting as fusogens.

The actions of melittin on membranes

The molecular mechanisms underlying the various effects of melittin on membranes have not been completely defined and much of the evidence described indicates that different molecular mechanisms may underlie different actions of the peptide. Ideas about the formation of transbilayer aggregates of melittin under the influence of a transbilayer potential, and for bilayer structural perturbation arising from the location of the peptide helix within the head group region of the membrane have been made based on the crystal structure of the peptide, the kinetics and concentration dependence of melittins membrane actions, together with simple ideas about the conformational properties of amphipathic helical peptides and their interactions with membranes. Physical studies of the interaction of melittin with model membranes have been useful in determining the potential of the peptide to adopt different locations, orientations and association states within membranes under different conditions, but the relationship of the results obtained to the actions of melittin in cell membranes or under the influence of a membrane potential are unclear. Experimental definition of the interaction of melittin with more complex membranes, including the erythrocyte membrane or in bilayers under the influence of a transmembrane potential, will require direct study in these membranes. Experiments employing labeled melittins for ESR, NMR or fluorescence experiments are promising both for their sensitivity (ESR and fluorescence) and the ability to focus on the peptide within the background of endogenous proteins within cell membranes. The study of melittin in model membranes has been useful for the development of methodology for determination of membrane protein structures. Despite the structural complexity of integral membrane proteins, it is interesting that in some respects their study be more straightforward, lacking as they do the elusive properties of melittin (and other structurally labile membrane peptides) which limit the possibility of defining their interaction with membranes in terms of a single conformation, location, orientation and association state within the membrane.

Effects of decreased pH on membrane structural organization of Escherichia coli grown in different fatty acid-supplemented media: a 31P NMR study

Total membranes from Escherichia coli cells grown in different fatty acid-supplemented media have been examined by 31P NMR at different pH values. The isolated inner and outer membranes were also studied and compared to the liposomes formed with the corresponding extracted lipids. While the liposomes show structures that are correlated with lipid composition, degree of fatty acid unsaturation, and pH, the membrane structure is mainly bilayer. The presence of two bilayer phases characterized by different chemical shift anisotropy values (delta nu csa) is detectable at neutral pH; a perturbation of the bilayer phase characterized by the smallest delta nu csa is produced by low pH. Moreover, an isotropic peak is always present in the membrane NMR spectra: its attribution to cardiolipin molecules is discussed on the basis of digestion experiments with phospholipase C.

Chemistry and biology of N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-labeled lipids: fluorescent probes of biological and model membranes

Lipids that are covalently labeled with the 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) group are widely used as fluorescent analogues of native lipids in model and biological membranes to study a variety of processes. The fluorescent NBD group may be attached either to the polar or the apolar regions of a wide variety of lipid molecules. Synthetic routes for preparing the lipids, and spectroscopic and ionization properties of these probes are reviewed in this report. The orientation of various NBD-labeled lipids in membranes, as indicated by the location of the NBD group, is also discussed. The NBD group is uncharged at neutral pH in membranes, but loops up to the surface if attached to acyl chains of phospholipids. These lipids find applications in a variety of membrane-related studies which include membrane fusion, lipid motion and dynamics, organization of lipids and proteins in membranes, intracellular lipid transfer, and bilayer to hexagonal phase transition in liposomes. Use of NBD-labeled lipids as analogues of natural lipids is critically evaluated.

Melittin binding to mixed phosphatidylglycerol/phosphatidylcholine membranes

The binding of bee venom melittin to negatively charged unilamellar vesicles and planar lipid bilayers composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG) was studied with circular dichroism and deuterium NMR spectroscopy. The melittin binding isotherm was measured for small unilamellar vesicles containing 10 or 20 mol % POPG. Due to electrostatic attraction, binding of the positively charged melittin was much enhanced as compared to the binding to neutral lipid vesicles. However, after correction for electrostatic effects by means of the Gouy-Chapman theory, all melittin binding isotherms could be described by a partition Kp = (4.5 +/- 0.6) x 10(4) M-1. It was estimated that about 50% of the total melittin surface was embedded in a hydrophobic environment. The melittin partition constant for small unilamellar vesicles was by a factor of 20 larger than that of planar bilayers and attests to the tighter lipid packing in the nonsonicated bilayers. Deuterium NMR studies were performed with coarse lipid dispersions. Binding of melittin to POPC/POPG (80/20 mol/mol) membranes caused systematic changes in the conformation of the phosphocholine and phosphoglycerol head groups which were ascribed to the influence of electrostatic charge on the choline dipole. While the negative charge of phosphatidylglycerol moved the N+ end of the choline -P-N+ dipole toward the bilayer interior, the binding of melittin reversed this effect and rotated the N+ end toward the aqueous phase. No specific melittin-POPG complexes could be detected. The phosphoglycerol head group was less affected by melittin binding than its choline counterpart.