1
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Santoro A, Buonocore M, Firoznezhad M, Grimaldi M, D'Ursi AM. Conformational analysis of a new peptide derived from feline immunodeficiency virus gp36 in SDS micelles: An NMR-MD based investigation. J Pept Sci 2024:e3645. [PMID: 39030892 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) shares structural similarities with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): the surface glycoprotein gp36 corresponds to the HIV gp41, which drives virus-host cell interactions and is targeted by the peptide entry inhibitor enfuvirtide. Following a similar drug design strategy for the development of an anti-FIV therapy, the present study investigates 627-646gp36 NHR, a peptide sequence derived from a region of gp36 that was previously found to interfere with the antiviral activity of the peptide C8, which instead derives from the gp36 MPER. CD, NMR, and MD simulations were employed to probe the conformational characteristics of 627-646gp36 NHR in the membrane-mimicking environment of SDS micelles. Our data show that 627-646gp36 NHR is characterized by three dynamic helix structures. MD simulations involving 627-646gp36 NHR, C8, and a larger protein, including the CHR and MPER regions, suggest that the interaction of C8 with the MPER region, the origin of the antiviral activity of C8, is disfavored in the presence of 627-646gp36 NHR in the simulation. This evidence can be useful for interpreting the molecular mechanism that leads to interference with the activity of C8, providing information on the folding/unfolding mechanism of the viral glycoprotein to design new strategies to inhibit viral entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Scuola di Specializzazione in Farmacia Ospedaliera, University of Salerno, Italy
| | - Michela Buonocore
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mohammad Firoznezhad
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy
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2
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Sessa L, Concilio S, Marrafino F, Sarkar A, Diana R, Piotto S. Theoretical investigation of hydroxylated analogues of valinomycin as potassium transporter. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 106:107936. [PMID: 37523834 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Valinomycin is a potent ionophore known for its ability to transport potassium ions across biological membranes. The study focuses on the hydroxylated analogues of valinomycin (HyVLMs) and compares their energy profiles and capabilities for transporting potassium ions across phospholipid membranes. Using metadynamics, we investigated the energy profiles of wildtype valinomycin (VLM_1) and its three hydroxylated analogues (VLM_2, VLM_3, and VLM_4). We observed that all analogues exhibited energy maxima in the centre of the membrane and preferred positions below the phospholipid heads. Furthermore, the entry barriers for membrane penetration were similar among the analogues, suggesting that the hydroxyl group did not significantly affect their passage through the membrane. Transition state calculations provided insights into the ability of valinomycin analogues to capture potassium ions, with VLM_4 showing the lowest activation energy and VLM_2 displaying the highest. Our findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms of potassium transport by valinomycin analogues and highlight their potential as ionophores. The presence of the hydroxyl group is of particular importance because it paves the way for subsequent chemical modifications and the synthesis of new antiviral agents with reduced intrinsic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Sessa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy; Bionam Research Centre for Biomaterials, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | - Simona Concilio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy; Bionam Research Centre for Biomaterials, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Francesco Marrafino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Arkadeep Sarkar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Rosita Diana
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Stefano Piotto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy; Bionam Research Centre for Biomaterials, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
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3
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Lozada C, Gonzalez S, Agniel R, Hindie M, Manciocchi L, Mazzanti L, Ha-Duong T, Santoro F, Carotenuto A, Ballet S, Lubin-Germain N. Introduction of constrained Trp analogs in RW9 modulates structure and partition in membrane models. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106731. [PMID: 37480815 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, many cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have been studied for their capacity to cross cellular membranes, mostly in order to improve cellular uptake of therapeutic agents. Even though hydrophobic and anionic CPPs have been described, many of them are polycationic, due to the presence of several arginine (Arg) residues. Noteworthy, however, the presence of aromatic amino acids such as tryptophan (Trp) within CPPs seems to play an important role to reach high membranotropic activity. RW9 (RRWWRRWRR) is a designed CPP derived from the polyarginine R9 presenting both features. In general, when interacting with membranes, CPPs adopt an optimal conformation for membrane interactions - an amphipathic helical secondary structure in the case of RW9. Herein, we assumed that the incorporation of a locally constrained amino acid in the peptide sequence could improve the membranotropic activity of RW9, by facilitating its structuration upon contact with a membrane, while leaving a certain plasticity. Therefore, two cyclized Trp derivatives (Tcc and Aia) were synthesized to be incorporated in RW9 as surrogates of Trp residues. Thus, a series of peptides containing these building blocks has been synthesized by varying the type, position, and number of modifications. The membranotropic activity of the RW9 analogs was studied by spectrofluorescence titration of the peptides in presence of liposomes (DMPG), allowing to calculate partition coefficients (Kp). Our results indicate that the partitioning of the modified peptides depends on the type, the number and the position of the modification, with the best sequence being [Aia4]RW9. Interestingly, both NMR analysis and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations indicate that this analog presents an extended conformation similar to the native RW9, but with a much-reduced structural flexibility. Finally, cell internalization properties were also confirmed by confocal microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lozada
- CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France; CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon Gonzalez
- CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France; CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Rémy Agniel
- ERRMECe, Institut des Matériaux I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Mathilde Hindie
- ERRMECe, Institut des Matériaux I-MAT (FD4122), CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Luca Manciocchi
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Liuba Mazzanti
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Tap Ha-Duong
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Federica Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Nadège Lubin-Germain
- CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France; CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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4
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Sarkar A, Santoro J, Di Biasi L, Marrafino F, Piotto S. YAMACS: a graphical interface for GROMACS. Bioinformatics 2022; 38:4645-4646. [PMID: 35997557 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btac573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY A graphical user interface for the GROMACS program has been developed as plugins for YASARA molecular graphics suite. The most significant GROMACS methods can be run entirely via a windowed menu system, and the results are shown on screen in real time. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION YAMACS is written in Python and is freely available for download at https://github.com/YAMACS-SML/YAMACS and is supported on Linux. It has been released under GPL-3.0 license. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadeep Sarkar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy
| | - Jacopo Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy
| | - Luigi Di Biasi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Piotto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy.,Bionam Center for Biomaterials, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy
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5
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Lozada C, Barlow TMA, Gonzalez S, Lubin-Germain N, Ballet S. Identification and Characteristics of Fusion Peptides Derived From Enveloped Viruses. Front Chem 2021; 9:689006. [PMID: 34497798 PMCID: PMC8419435 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.689006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion events allow enveloped viruses to enter and infect cells. The study of these processes has led to the identification of a number of proteins that mediate this process. These proteins are classified according to their structure, which vary according to the viral genealogy. To date, three classes of fusion proteins have been defined, but current evidence points to the existence of additional classes. Despite their structural differences, viral fusion processes follow a common mechanism through which they exert their actions. Additional studies of the viral fusion proteins have demonstrated the key role of specific proteinogenic subsequences within these proteins, termed fusion peptides. Such peptides are able to interact and insert into membranes for which they hold interest from a pharmacological or therapeutic viewpoint. Here, the different characteristics of fusion peptides derived from viral fusion proteins are described. These criteria are useful to identify new fusion peptides. Moreover, this review describes the requirements of synthetic fusion peptides derived from fusion proteins to induce fusion by themselves. Several sequences of the viral glycoproteins E1 and E2 of HCV were, for example, identified to be able to induce fusion, which are reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lozada
- BioCIS, CNRS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, Cergy-Pontoise, France
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas M. A. Barlow
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon Gonzalez
- BioCIS, CNRS, CY Cergy-Paris Université, Cergy-Pontoise, France
| | | | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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6
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Study of the Interaction of a Novel Semi-Synthetic Peptide with Model Lipid Membranes. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:membranes10100294. [PMID: 33086635 PMCID: PMC7603383 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10100294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Most linear peptides directly interact with membranes, but the mechanisms of interaction are far from being completely understood. Here, we present an investigation of the membrane interactions of a designed peptide containing a non-natural, synthetic amino acid. We selected a nonapeptide that is reported to interact with phospholipid membranes, ALYLAIRKR, abbreviated as ALY. We designed a modified peptide (azoALY) by substituting the tyrosine residue of ALY with an antimicrobial azobenzene-bearing amino acid. Both of the peptides were examined for their ability to interact with model membranes, assessing the penetration of phospholipid monolayers, and leakage across the bilayer of large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). The latter was performed in a microfluidic device in order to study the kinetics of leakage of entrapped calcein from the vesicles at the single vesicle level. Both types of vesicles were prepared from a 9:1 (mol/mol) mixture of POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and POPG (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(1′-rac-glycerol). Calcein leakage from the vesicles was more pronounced at a low concentration in the case of azoALY than for ALY. Increased vesicle membrane disturbance in the presence of azoALY was also evident from an enzymatic assay with LUVs and entrapped horseradish peroxidase. Molecular dynamics simulations of ALY and azoALY in an anionic POPC/POPG model bilayer showed that ALY peptide only interacts with the lipid head groups. In contrast, azoALY penetrates the hydrophobic core of the bilayers causing a stronger membrane perturbation as compared to ALY, in qualitative agreement with the experimental results from the leakage assays.
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7
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Concilio S, Di Martino M, Nardiello AM, Panunzi B, Sessa L, Miele Y, Rossi F, Piotto S. A Flavone-Based Solvatochromic Probe with A Low Expected Perturbation Impact on the Membrane Physical State. Molecules 2020; 25:E3458. [PMID: 32751363 PMCID: PMC7436088 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the cell membrane is an ambitious and arduous objective since its physical state is regulated by a series of processes that guarantee its regular functionality. Among the different methods of analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy is a technique of election, non-invasive, and easy to use. Besides, molecular dynamics analysis (MD) on model membranes provides useful information on the possibility of using a new probe, following its positioning in the membrane, and evaluating the possible perturbation of the double layer. In this work, we report the rational design and the synthesis of a new fluorescent solvatochromic probe and its characterization in model membranes. The probe consists of a fluorescent aromatic nucleus of a 3-hydroxyflavone moiety, provided with a saturated chain of 18 carbon atoms and a zwitterionic head so to facilitate the anchoring to the polar heads of the lipid bilayer and avoid the complete internalization. It was possible to study the behavior of the probe in GUV model membranes by MD analysis and fluorescence microscopy, demonstrating that the new probe can efficiently be incorporated in the lipid bilayer, and give a color response, thanks to is solvatochromic properties. Moreover, MD simulation of the probe in the membrane supports the hypothesis of a reduced perturbation of the membrane physical state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Concilio
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Miriam Di Martino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.D.M.); (A.M.N.); (L.S.)
| | - Anna Maria Nardiello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.D.M.); (A.M.N.); (L.S.)
| | - Barbara Panunzi
- Department of Agriculture, University of Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Lucia Sessa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.D.M.); (A.M.N.); (L.S.)
| | - Ylenia Miele
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | - Federico Rossi
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Physical Sciences “DEEP Sciences”, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Stefano Piotto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.D.M.); (A.M.N.); (L.S.)
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8
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Di Marino D, Bruno A, Grimaldi M, Scrima M, Stillitano I, Amodio G, Della Sala G, Romagnoli A, De Santis A, Moltedo O, Remondelli P, Boccia G, D'Errico G, D'Ursi AM, Limongelli V. Binding of the Anti-FIV Peptide C8 to Differently Charged Membrane Models: From First Docking to Membrane Tubulation. Front Chem 2020; 8:493. [PMID: 32676493 PMCID: PMC7333769 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gp36 is the virus envelope glycoproteins catalyzing the fusion of the feline immunodeficiency virus with the host cells. The peptide C8 is a tryptophan-rich peptide corresponding to the fragment 770W-I777 of gp36 exerting antiviral activity by binding the membrane cell and inhibiting the virus entry. Several factors, including the membrane surface charge, regulate the binding of C8 to the lipid membrane. Based on the evidence that imperceptible variation of membrane charge may induce a dramatic effect in several critical biological events, in the present work we investigate the effect induced by systematic variation of charge in phospholipid bilayers on the aptitude of C8 to interact with lipid membranes, the tendency of C8 to assume specific conformational states and the re-organization of the lipid bilayer upon the interaction with C8. Accordingly, employing a bottom-up multiscale protocol, including CD, NMR, ESR spectroscopy, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, and confocal microscopy, we studied C8 in six membrane models composed of different ratios of zwitterionic/negatively charged phospholipids. Our data show that charge content modulates C8-membrane binding with significant effects on the peptide conformations. C8 in micelle solution or in SUV formed by DPC or DOPC zwitterionic phospholipids assumes regular β-turn structures that are progressively destabilized as the concentration of negatively charged SDS or DOPG phospholipids exceed 40%. Interaction of C8 with zwitterionic membrane surface is mediated by Trp1 and Trp4 that are deepened in the membrane, forming H-bonds and cation-π interactions with the DOPC polar heads. Additional stabilizing salt bridge interactions involve Glu2 and Asp3. MD and ESR data show that the C8-membrane affinity increases as the concentration of zwitterionic phospholipid increases. In the lipid membrane characterized by an excess of zwitterionic phospholipids, C8 is adsorbed at the membrane interface, inducing a stiffening of the outer region of the DOPC bilayer. However, the bound of C8 significantly perturbs the whole organization of lipid bilayer resulting in membrane remodeling. These events, measurable as a variation of the bilayer thickness, are the onset mechanism of the membrane fusion and vesicle tubulation observed in confocal microscopy by imaging zwitterionic MLVs in the presence of C8 peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Di Marino
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, New York-Marche Structural Biology Center (NY-MaSBiC), Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Agostino Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Mario Scrima
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Amodio
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Grazia Della Sala
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alice Romagnoli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, New York-Marche Structural Biology Center (NY-MaSBiC), Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Augusta De Santis
- Department of Chemical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ornella Moltedo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Paolo Remondelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Boccia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Gerardino D'Errico
- Department of Chemical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Computational Science, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
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9
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NMR Structure of the FIV gp36 C-Terminal Heptad Repeat and Membrane-Proximal External Region. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062037. [PMID: 32188158 PMCID: PMC7139756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus causing an immunodeficiency syndrome in cats, represents a relevant model of pre-screening therapies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The envelope glycoproteins gp36 in FIV and gp41 in HIV mediate the fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane. They have a common structural framework in the C-terminal region that includes a Trp-rich membrane-proximal external region (MPER) and a C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR). MPER is essential for the correct positioning of gp36 on the lipid membrane, whereas CHR is essential for the stabilization of the low-energy six-helical bundle (6HB) that is necessary for the fusion of the virus envelope with the cell membrane. Conformational data for gp36 are missing, and several aspects of the MPER structure of different lentiviruses are still debated. In the present work, we report the structural investigation of a gp36 construct that includes the MPER and part of the CHR domain (737-786gp36 CHR–MPER). Using 2D and 3D homo and heteronuclear NMR spectra on 15N and 13C double-labelled samples, we solved the NMR structure in micelles composed of dodecyl phosphocholine (DPC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) 90/10 M: M. The structure of 737-786gp36 CHR–MPER is characterized by a helix–turn–helix motif, with a regular α-helix and a moderately flexible 310 helix, characterizing the CHR and the MPER domains, respectively. The two helices are linked by a flexible loop regulating their orientation at a ~43° angle. We investigated the positioning of 737-786gp36 CHR–MPER on the lipid membrane using spin label-enhanced NMR and ESR spectroscopies. On a different scale, using confocal microscopy imaging, we studied the effect of 737-786gp36 CHR–MPER on 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1’-rac-glycerol) (DOPC/DOPG) multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). This effect results in membrane budding and tubulation that is reminiscent of a membrane-plasticizing role that is typical of MPER domains during the event in which the virus envelope merges with the host cell membrane.
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10
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An Amphiphilic Pyridinoyl-hydrazone Probe for Colorimetric and Fluorescence pH Sensing. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24213833. [PMID: 31652986 PMCID: PMC6864485 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24213833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A new pH sensor based on a substituted aroylhydrazide with a flexible side chain and a terminal trimethyl ammonium group (PHA+) was designed and synthesized. The terminal quaternary ammonium guarantees excellent solubility in water. At the same time, the probe is very soluble in hydrophobic envirornments. The pyridinoyl-hydrazone moiety acts as the pH-sensitive fluorophore/chromophore probe. Extensive physicochemical characterization has been performed on the bromide salt PHABr. DFT calculations, based on single-crystal X-ray data, permitted to rationalize the optical behavior. Molecular dynamics simulations permitted to clarify the mode of interaction with lipid membrane. The ability of the probe to change color and fluorescence in response to different pH and media of different polarity has been investigated. PHABr shows a remarkable pH-dependent behavior in both absorption and fluorescence spectra with high sensitivity and strong on-off switch effect at neutral pH, perceptible even to the naked eye.
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11
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Structural basis of antiviral activity of peptides from MPER of FIV gp36. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204042. [PMID: 30240422 PMCID: PMC6150481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a naturally occurring Lentivirus causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in felines. It is considered a useful non-primate model to study HIV infection, and to test anti-HIV vaccine. Similarly to HIV, FIV enters cells via a mechanism involving a surface glycoprotein named gp36. C8 is a short synthetic peptide corresponding to the residues 770WEDWVGWI777 of gp36 membrane proximal external region (MPER). It elicits antiviral activity by inhibiting the fusion of the FIV and host cell membrane. C8 is endowed with evident membrane binding property, inducing alteration of the phospholipid bilayer and membrane fusion. The presence and the position of tryptophan residues in C8 are important for antiviral activity: the C8 derivative C6a, obtained by truncating the N-terminal 770WE771 residues, exhibits conserved antiviral activity, while the C8 derivative C6b, derived from the truncation of the C-terminal 776WI777, is nearly inactive. To elucidate the structural factors that induce the different activity profiles of C6a and C6b, in spite of their similarity, we investigated the structural behaviour of the two peptides in membrane mimicking environments. Conformational data on the short peptides C6a and C6b, matched to those of their parent peptide C8, allow describing a pharmacophore model of antiviral fusion inhibitors. This includes the essential structural motifs to design new simplified molecules overcoming the pharmacokinetic and high cost limitations affecting the antiviral entry inhibitors that currently are in therapy.
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12
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Yousefpour A, Amjad-Iranagh S, Goharpey F, Modarress H. Effect of drug amlodipine on the charged lipid bilayer cell membranes DMPS and DMPS + DMPC: a molecular dynamics simulation study. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2018; 47:939-950. [PMID: 29971510 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-018-1317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the effects of the anti-hypertensive drug amlodipine in native and PEGylated forms on the malfunctioning of negatively charged lipid bilayer cell membranes constructed from DMPS or DMPS + DMPC were studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The obtained results indicate that amlodipine alone aggregates and as a result its diffusion into the membrane is retarded. In addition, due to their large size aggregates of the drug can damage the cell, rupturing the cell membrane. It is shown that PEGylation of amlodipine prevents this aggregation and facilitates its diffusion into the lipid membrane. The interaction of the drug with negatively charged membranes in the presence of an aqueous solution of NaCl, as the medium, is investigated and its effects on the membrane are considered by evaluating the structural properties of the membrane such as area per lipid, thickness, lipid chain order and electrostatic potential difference between bulk solution and lipid bilayer surface. The effect of these parameters on the diffusion of the drug into the cell is critically examined and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Yousefpour
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), 424 Hafez Ave, Tehran, P.O. Box 15875-4413, Iran
| | - Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), 424 Hafez Ave, Tehran, P.O. Box 15875-4413, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Goharpey
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Modarress
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), 424 Hafez Ave, Tehran, P.O. Box 15875-4413, Iran.
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Chipot C, Dehez F, Schnell JR, Zitzmann N, Pebay-Peyroula E, Catoire LJ, Miroux B, Kunji ERS, Veglia G, Cross TA, Schanda P. Perturbations of Native Membrane Protein Structure in Alkyl Phosphocholine Detergents: A Critical Assessment of NMR and Biophysical Studies. Chem Rev 2018; 118:3559-3607. [PMID: 29488756 PMCID: PMC5896743 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins perform a host of vital cellular functions. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms whereby they fulfill these functions requires detailed biophysical and structural investigations. Detergents have proven pivotal to extract the protein from its native surroundings. Yet, they provide a milieu that departs significantly from that of the biological membrane, to the extent that the structure, the dynamics, and the interactions of membrane proteins in detergents may considerably vary, as compared to the native environment. Understanding the impact of detergents on membrane proteins is, therefore, crucial to assess the biological relevance of results obtained in detergents. Here, we review the strengths and weaknesses of alkyl phosphocholines (or foscholines), the most widely used detergent in solution-NMR studies of membrane proteins. While this class of detergents is often successful for membrane protein solubilization, a growing list of examples points to destabilizing and denaturing properties, in particular for α-helical membrane proteins. Our comprehensive analysis stresses the importance of stringent controls when working with this class of detergents and when analyzing the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins in alkyl phosphocholine detergents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Chipot
- SRSMC, UMR 7019 Université de Lorraine CNRS, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy F-54500, France
- Laboratoire
International Associé CNRS and University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy F-54506, France
- Department
of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - François Dehez
- SRSMC, UMR 7019 Université de Lorraine CNRS, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy F-54500, France
- Laboratoire
International Associé CNRS and University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy F-54506, France
| | - Jason R. Schnell
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Zitzmann
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | | | - Laurent J. Catoire
- Laboratory
of Biology and Physico-Chemistry of Membrane Proteins, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (IBPC), UMR
7099 CNRS, Paris 75005, France
- University
Paris Diderot, Paris 75005, France
- PSL
Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Bruno Miroux
- Laboratory
of Biology and Physico-Chemistry of Membrane Proteins, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (IBPC), UMR
7099 CNRS, Paris 75005, France
- University
Paris Diderot, Paris 75005, France
- PSL
Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Edmund R. S. Kunji
- Medical
Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Gianluigi Veglia
- Department
of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, and Department
of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Timothy A. Cross
- National
High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida
State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Paul Schanda
- Université
Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, Grenoble F-38000, France
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14
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Barrella MC, Di Capua A, Adami R, Reverchon E, Mella M, Izzo L. Impact of intermolecular drug-copolymer interactions on size and drug release kinetics from pH-responsive polymersomes. Supramol Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/10610278.2017.1377836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Barrella
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Capua
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Renata Adami
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Ernesto Reverchon
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Massimo Mella
- Dipartimento di Scienza ed Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Como, Italy
| | - Lorella Izzo
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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15
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Concilio S, Ferrentino I, Sessa L, Massa A, Iannelli P, Diana R, Panunzi B, Rella A, Piotto S. A novel fluorescent solvatochromic probe for lipid bilayers. Supramol Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/10610278.2017.1372583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Concilio
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Sessa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Antonio Massa
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Pio Iannelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Rosita Diana
- Department of Chemical Science, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Barbara Panunzi
- Department of Agriculture, University of Napoli Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Antonella Rella
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefano Piotto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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16
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Structure Modification of an Active Azo-Compound as a Route to New Antimicrobial Compounds. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22060875. [PMID: 28587076 PMCID: PMC6152751 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22060875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Some novel (phenyl-diazenyl)phenols 3a–g were designed and synthesized to be evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. A previously synthesized molecule, active against bacteria and fungi, was used as lead for modifications and optimization of the structure, by introduction/removal or displacement of hydroxyl groups on the azobenzene rings. The aim of this work was to evaluate the consequent changes of the antimicrobial activity and to validate the hypothesis that, for these compounds, a plausible mechanism could involve an interaction with protein receptors, rather than an interaction with membrane. All newly synthesized compounds were analyzed by 1H-NMR, DSC thermal analysis and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of each compound was determined against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. Compounds 3b and 3g showed the highest activity against S. aureus and C. albicans, with remarkable MIC values of 10 µg/mL and 3 µg/mL, respectively. Structure-activity relationship studies were capable to rationalize the effect of different substitutions on the phenyl ring of the azobenzene on antimicrobial activity.
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17
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Piotto S, Sessa L, Iannelli P, Concilio S. Computational study on human sphingomyelin synthase 1 (hSMS1). BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:1517-1525. [PMID: 28411172 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Human sphingomyelin synthase 1 (hSMS1) is the last enzyme for sphingomyelin (SM) biosynthesis. It has been discovered that in different human tumor tissues the SM levels are lower compared to normal tissues and the activation of hSMS1, to restore the normal levels of SM, inhibits cell cycle proliferation of cancer cells. Since the importance of SM and other lipid metabolism genes in the malignant transformation, we decided to explore the hSMS1 mechanism of action. Enzymes capable to regulate the formation of lipids are therefore of paramount importance. Here we present a computational study on sphingomyelin synthases hSMS1. The full structure of the enzyme was obtained by means of homology and ab initio techniques. Further molecular dynamics and docking studies permitted to identify putative binding sites and to identify the key residues for binding. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Lipid Therapy: Drugs Targeting Biomembranes edited by Pablo V. Escribá.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Piotto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | - Lucia Sessa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Pio Iannelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Simona Concilio
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
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19
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Pöyry S, Vattulainen I. Role of charged lipids in membrane structures - Insight given by simulations. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:2322-2333. [PMID: 27003126 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Lipids and proteins are the main components of cell membranes. It is becoming increasingly clear that lipids, in addition to providing an environment for proteins to work in, are in many cases also able to modulate the structure and function of those proteins. Particularly charged lipids such as phosphatidylinositols and phosphatidylserines are involved in several examples of such effects. Molecular dynamics simulations have proved an invaluable tool in exploring these aspects. This so-called computational microscope can provide both complementing explanations for the experimental results and guide experiments to fruitful directions. In this paper, we review studies that have utilized molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the roles of charged lipids in membrane structures. We focus on lipids as active constituents of the membranes, affecting both general membrane properties as well as non-lipid membrane components, mainly proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biosimulations edited by Ilpo Vattulainen and Tomasz Róg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Pöyry
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, POB 692, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, POB 692, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland; MEMPHYS - Center for Biomembrane Physics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, POB 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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20
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Sessa L, Di Biasi L, Concilio S, Cattaneo G, De Santis A, Iannelli P, Piotto S. A New Flexible Protocol for Docking Studies. COMMUNICATIONS IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-32695-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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21
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Evaluation of in situ injectable hydrogels as controlled release device for ANXA1 derived peptide in wound healing. Carbohydr Polym 2015; 115:629-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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22
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Oliva R, Del Vecchio P, Stellato MI, D'Ursi AM, D'Errico G, Paduano L, Petraccone L. A thermodynamic signature of lipid segregation in biomembranes induced by a short peptide derived from glycoprotein gp36 of feline immunodeficiency virus. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1848:510-7. [PMID: 25450811 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The interactions between proteins/peptides and lipid bilayers are fundamental in a variety of key biological processes, and among these, the membrane fusion process operated by viral glycoproteins is one of the most important, being a fundamental step of the infectious event. In the case of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a small region of the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the glycoprotein gp36 has been demonstrated to be necessary for the infection to occur, being able to destabilize the membranes to be fused. In this study, we report a physicochemical characterization of the interaction process between an eight-residue peptide, named C8, modeled on that gp36 region and some biological membrane models (liposomes) by using calorimetric and spectroscopic measurements. CD studies have shown that the peptide conformation changes upon binding to the liposomes. Interestingly, the peptide folds from a disordered structure (in the absence of liposomes) to a more ordered structure with a low but significant helix content. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show that C8 binds with high affinity the lipid bilayers and induces a significant perturbation/reorganization of the lipid membrane structure. The type and the extent of such membrane reorganization depend on the membrane composition. These findings provide interesting insights into the role of this short peptide fragment in the mechanism of virus-cell fusion, demonstrating its ability to induce lipid segregation in biomembranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Oliva
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Pompea Del Vecchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria D'Ursi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Gerardino D'Errico
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Petraccone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
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