Detecting the presence of membrane domains using DSC

The Contribution of Differential Scanning Calorimetry for the Study of Peptide/Lipid Interactions

Membrane-active peptides include a variety of molecules such as antimicrobial (AMP), cell-penetrating (CPP), viral, and amyloid peptides that are implicated in several pathologies. They constitute important targets because they are either at the basis of novel therapies (drug delivery for CPPs or antimicrobial activity for AMPs) or they are the agents causing these pathologies (viral and amyloid peptides). They all share the common property of interacting with the cellular lipid membrane in their mode of action. Therefore, a better understanding of the peptide/lipid (P/L) interaction is essential to help decipher their mechanism of action. Among the different biophysical methods that can be used to fully characterize P/L interactions, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) allows determining the peptide effect on the lipid phase transitions, a property that reflects the P/L interaction mode. A general protocol for classical DSC experiments for P/L studies will be provided.

The effect of pH on the lytic activity of a synthetic mastoparan-like peptide in anionic model membranes

Peptide sequences containing acidic and basic residues could potentially have their net charges modulated by bulk pH with a possible influence on their lytic activity in lipid vesicles. The present study reports on a biophysical investigation of these modulatory effects on the synthetic mastoparan-like peptide L1A (IDGLKAIWKKVADLLKNT-NH2). At pH 10.0 L1A was 6 times more efficient in lysing large anionic (1-palmitoyl-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC):1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG)/(8:2)) unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) than at pH 4.0. Despite the reduction of 60% in the L1A net charge in basic pH its affinity for this vesicle was almost insensitive to pH. On the other hand, L1A insertion into monolayers was dramatically influenced by subphase condition, showing that, in the neutral and basic subphases, the peptide induced surface pressure changes that surpassed the membrane lateral pressure, being able to destabilize a bilayer structure. In addition, in the basic subphase, visualization of the compression isotherms of co-spread 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC):POPG (8:2) + 4.8 mol% L1A showed that the peptide induced significant changes in solid lipid domains, indicating its capability in perturbing lipid-packing. An insight into L1A lytic activity was also obtained in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) using phase contrast microscopy. The suppression of L1A lytic activity at acidic pH is in keeping with its lower insertion capability and ability to disturb the lipid monolayer. The lytic activity observed under neutral and basic conditions showed a quick and stochastic leakage following a lag-time. The permeability and the leakage-time averaged over at least 14 single GUVs were dependent on the bulk condition. At basic pH, permeability is higher and quicker than in a neutral medium in good accordance with the lipid-packing perturbation.

Interactions of tamoxifen with distearoyl phosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles: FTIR and DSC studies

Interactions of a non-steroidal antiestrogen drug, tamoxifen (TAM), with distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) multilamellar liposomes (MLVs) were investigated as a function of drug concentration (1-15 mol%) by using two noninvasive techniques, namely Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FTIR spectroscopy results show that increasing TAM concentrations (except 1 mol%) increased the wavenumbers of the CH2 stretching modes, implying an disordering effect for DSPC MLVs both in the gel and liquid crystalline phases. The bandwidth values of the CH2 stretchings except for 1 mol% increased when TAM concentrations increased for DSPC liposomes, indicating an increase in the dynamics of liposomes. The CO stretching and PO2- antisymmetric double bond stretching bands were analyzed to study interactions of TAM with head groups of lipids. As the concentrations of TAM increased, dehydration occurred around these functional groups in the polar part of the lipids. The DSC studies on thermal properties of DSPC lipids indicate that TAM eliminated the pre transition, shifted the main phase transition to lower temperatures and broadened the phase transition curve of the liposomes.

Biomembrane models and drug-biomembrane interaction studies: Involvement in drug design and development

Contact with many different biological membranes goes along the destiny of a drug after its systemic administration. From the circulating macrophage cells to the vessel endothelium, to more complex absorption barriers, the interaction of a biomolecule with these membranes largely affects its rate and time of biodistribution in the body and at the target sites. Therefore, investigating the phenomena occurring on the cell membranes, as well as their different interaction with drugs in the physiological or pathological conditions, is important to exploit the molecular basis of many diseases and to identify new potential therapeutic strategies. Of course, the complexity of the structure and functions of biological and cell membranes, has pushed researchers toward the proposition and validation of simpler two- and three-dimensional membrane models, whose utility and drawbacks will be discussed. This review also describes the analytical methods used to look at the interactions among bioactive compounds with biological membrane models, with a particular accent on the calorimetric techniques. These studies can be considered as a powerful tool for medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical technology, in the steps of designing new drugs and optimizing the activity and safety profile of compounds already used in the therapy.

Differential scanning calorimetry: An invaluable tool for a detailed thermodynamic characterization of macromolecules and their interactions

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a highly sensitive technique to study the thermotropic properties of many different biological macromolecules and extracts. Since its early development, DSC has been applied to the pharmaceutical field with excipient studies and DNA drugs. In recent times, more attention has been applied to lipid-based drug delivery systems and drug interactions with biomimetic membranes. Highly reproducible phase transitions have been used to determine values, such as, the type of binding interaction, purity, stability, and release from a drug delivery mechanism. This review focuses on the use of DSC for biochemical and pharmaceutical applications.

Thermodynamic properties and characterization of proteoliposomes rich in microdomains carrying alkaline phosphatase

Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is associated to the plasma membrane via a GPI-anchor and plays a key role in the biomineralization process. In plasma membranes, most GPI-anchored proteins are associated with "lipid rafts", ordered microdomains enriched in sphingolipids, glycosphingolipids and cholesterol. In order to better understand the role of lipids present in rafts and their interactions with GPI-anchored proteins, the insertion of TNAP into different lipid raft models was studied using dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), cholesterol (Chol), sphingomyelin (SM) and ganglioside (GM1). Thus, the membrane models studied were binary systems (9:1 molar ratio) containing DPPC:Chol, DPPC:SM and DPPC:GM1, ternary systems (8:1:1 molar ratio) containing DPPC:Chol:SM, DPPC:Chol:GM1 and DPPC:SM:GM1 and finally, a quaternary system (7:1:1:1 molar ratio) containing DPPC:Chol:SM:GM1. Calorimetry analysis of the liposomes and proteoliposomes indicate that lateral phase segregation could be noted only in the presence of cholesterol, with the formation of cholesterol-rich microdomains centered above Tc=41.5°C. The presence of GM1 and SM into DPPC-liposomes influenced mainly ΔH and Δt(1/2) values. The gradual increase in the complexity of the systems decreased the activity of the enzyme incorporated. The presence of the enzyme also fluidifies the systems, as seen by the intense reduction in ∆H values, but do not alter Tc values significantly. Therefore, the study of different microdomains and its biophysical characterization may contribute to the knowledge of the interactions between the lipids present in MVs and its interactions with TNAP.

Oral administration of L-mR18L, a single domain cationic amphipathic helical peptide, inhibits lesion formation in ApoE null mice

We have shown that Ac-hE18A-NH₂, a dual-domain cationic apolipoprotein-mimetic peptide, reduces plasma cholesterol levels in dyslipidemic mice. Two single-domain cationic peptides based on the lytic class L peptide 18L were developed to test the hypothesis that a single-domain cationic amphipathic peptide can reduce atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein (apo)E null mice when orally administered. To incorporate anti-inflammatory properties, aromatic residues were clustered in the nonpolar face similar to peptide 4F, resulting in modified 18L (m18L). To reduce lytic properties, the Lys residues of 18L were replaced with Arg with the resulting peptide called modified R18L (mR18L). Biophysical studies showed that mR18L had stronger interactions with lipids than did m18L. Peptide mR18L was also more effective than m18L in promoting LDL uptake by HepG2 cells. ApoE null mice received normal chow or chow containing m18L or mR18L for six weeks. A significant reduction in plasma cholesterol and aortic sinus lesion area was seen only in the mR18L group. Plasma from mice administered mR18L, unlike those from the control and m18L groups, did not enhance monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Thus oral administration of mR18L reduces plasma cholesterol and lesion formation and inhibits monocyte adhesion.

NMR structure of a viral peptide inserted in artificial membranes: a view on the early steps of the birnavirus entry process

Nonenveloped virus must penetrate the cellular membrane to access the cytoplasm without the benefit of membrane fusion. For birnavirus, one of the peptides present in the virus capsid, pep46 for infectious bursal disease virus, is able to induce pores into membranes as an intermediate step of the birnavirus-penetration pathway. Using osmotic protection experiments, we demonstrate here that pep46 and its pore-forming N-terminal moiety (pep22) form pores of different diameters, 5-8 and 2-4 nm, respectively, showing that both pep46 moieties participate to pore formation. The solution structures of pep46, pep22, and pep24 (the pep46 C-terminal moiety) in different hydrophobic environments and micelles determined by (1)H NMR studies provide structural insights of the pep46 domain interaction. In CDCl(3)/CD(3)OH mixture and in dodecylphosphocholine micelles, the N-terminal domain of pep46 is structured in a long kinked helix, although the C terminus is structured in one or two helices depending upon the solvents used. We also show that the folding and the proline isomerization status of pep46 depend on the type of hydrophobic environment. NMR spectroscopy with labeled phospholipid micelles, differential scanning calorimetry, and plasmon waveguide resonance studies show the peptides lie parallel to the lipid-water interface, perturbing the fatty acid chain packing. All these data lead to a model in which the two domains of pep46 interact with the membrane to form pores.

Probing the "charge cluster mechanism" in amphipathic helical cationic antimicrobial peptides

Clustering of anionic lipids away from zwitterionic ones by cationic antimicrobial agents has recently been established as a mechanism of action of natural small, flexible peptides as well as non-natural synthetic peptide mimics. One of the largest classes of antimicrobial peptides consists of peptides that form cationic amphipathic helices on membranes and whose toxic action is dependent on the formation of pores in the membrane or through the "carpet" mechanism. We have evaluated the role of anionic lipid clustering for five of these peptides, i.e., MSI-78, MSI-103, MSI-469, MSI-843, and MSI-1254, with different sequences and properties. We determined whether these amphipathic helical cationic antimicrobial peptides cluster anionic lipids from zwitterionic ones and if this property is related to the species specificity of their toxicity. All five of these peptides were capable of lipid clustering, in contrast to the well-studied amphipathic helical antimicrobial peptide, magainin 2, which does not. We ascribe this difference to the lower density of positive charges in magainin 2. Peptides that efficiently cluster anionic lipids generally have a ratio of MIC for Staphylococcus aureus to that for Escherichia coli of >1. The addition of an N-terminal octyl chain did not preclude anionic charge clustering, although the ratio of MIC for S. aureus to that for E. coli was somewhat lowered. In most Gram-positive bacteria, there is a predominance of anionic lipids in the cytoplasmic membrane. In Gram-negative bacteria, however, clustering of anionic lipids away from zwitterionic ones is emerging as an important contributing mechanism of bacterial toxicity for some antimicrobial agents.

Designed low amphipathic peptides with alpha-helical propensity exhibiting antimicrobial activity via a lipid domain formation mechanism

Although several low amphipathic peptides have been known to exhibit antimicrobial activity, their mode of action has not been completely elucidated. In this study, using designed low amphipathic peptides that retain different alpha-helical content and hydrophobicity, we attempted to investigate the mechanism of these properties. Calorimetric and thermodynamic analyses demonstrated that the peptides induce formation of two lipid domains in an anionic liposome at a high peptide-to-lipid ratio. On the other hand, even at a low peptide-to-lipid ratio, they caused minimal membrane damage, such as flip-flop of membrane lipids or leakage of calcein molecules from liposomes, and never translocated across membranes. Interaction energies between the peptides and anionic liposomes showed good correlation with antimicrobial activity for both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. We thus propose that the domain formation mechanism in which antimicrobial peptides exhibit activity solely by forming lipid domains without membrane damage is a major determinant of the antimicrobial activity of low amphipathic peptides. These peptides appear to stiffen the membrane such that it is deprived of the fluidity necessary for biological functions. We also showed that to construct the lipid domains, peptides need not form stable and cooperative structures. Rather, it is essential for peptides to only interact tightly with the membrane interface via strong electrostatic interactions, and slight differences in binding strength are invoked by differences in hydrophobicity. The peptides thus designed might pave the way for "clean" antimicrobial reagents that never cause release of membrane elements and efflux of their inner components.

Apolipophorin III interaction with model membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin using differential scanning calorimetry

Apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) from Locusta migratoria was employed as a model apolipoprotein to gain insight into binding interactions with lipid vesicles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the binding interaction of apoLp-III with liposomes composed of mixtures of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and sphingomyelin (SM). Association of apoLp-III with multilamellar liposomes occurred over a temperature range around the liquid crystalline phase transition (L(alpha)). Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from changes in the lipid phase transition upon addition of apoLp-III. Eleven ratios of DMPC and SM were tested from pure DMPC to pure SM. Broadness of the phase transition (T(1/2)), melting temperature of the phase transition (T(m)) and enthalpy were used to determine the relative binding affinity to the liposomes. Multilamellar vesicles composed of 40% DMPC and 60% SM showed the greatest interaction with apoLp-III, indicated by large T(1/2) values. Pure DMPC showed the weakest interaction and liposomes with lower percentage of DMPC retained domains of pure DMPC, even upon apoLp-III binding indicating demixing of liposome lipids. Addition of apoLp-III to rehydrated liposomes was compared to codissolved trials, in which lipids were rehydrated in the presence of protein, forcing the protein to interact with the lipid system. Similar trends between the codissolved and non-codissolved trials were observed, indicating a similar binding affinity except for pure DMPC. These results suggested that surface defects due to non-ideal packing that occur at the phase transition temperature of the lipid mixtures are responsible for apolipoprotein-lipid interaction in DMPC/SM liposomes.

Lipid segregation explains selective toxicity of a series of fragments derived from the human cathelicidin LL-37

The only human cathelicidin, the 37-residue peptide LL-37, exhibits antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. We studied the ability of several fragments of LL-37, exhibiting different antimicrobial activities, to interact with membranes whose compositions mimic the cytoplasmic membranes of gram-positive or of gram-negative bacteria. These fragments are as follows: KR-12, the smallest active segment of LL-37, with the sequence KRIVQRIKDFLR, which exhibits antimicrobial activity only against gram-negative bacteria; a slightly smaller peptide, RI-10, missing the two cationic residues at the N and C termini of KR-12, which has been shown not to have any antimicrobial activity; a longer peptide, GF-17, which shows antimicrobial activity against gram-positive as well as gram-negative bacteria; and GF-17D3, with 3 D-amino-acid residues, which is also selective only for gram-negative bacteria. Those fragments with the capacity to cluster anionic lipids away from zwitterionic lipids in a membrane exhibit selective toxicity toward bacteria containing zwitterionic as well as anionic lipids in their cytoplasmic membranes but not toward bacteria with only anionic lipids. This finding allows for the prediction of the bacterial-species selectivity of certain agents and paves the way for designing new antimicrobials targeted specifically toward gram-negative bacteria.

Mitochondrial kinases and their molecular interaction with cardiolipin

Mitochondrial isoforms of creatine kinase (MtCK) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK-D) are not phylogenetically related but share functionally important properties. They both use mitochondrially generated ATP with the ultimate goal of maintaining proper nucleotide pools, are located in the intermembrane/cristae space, have symmetrical oligomeric structures, and show high affinity binding to anionic phospholipids, in particular cardiolipin. The structural basis and functional consequences of the cardiolipin interaction have been studied and are discussed in detail in this review. They mainly result in a functional interaction of MtCK and NDPK-D with inner membrane adenylate translocator, probably by forming proteolipid complexes. These interactions allow for privileged exchange of metabolites (channeling) that ultimately regulate mitochondrial respiration. Further functions of the MtCK/membrane interaction include formation of cardiolipin membrane patches, stabilization of mitochondria and a role in apoptotic signaling, as well as in case of both kinases, a role in facilitating lipid transfer between two membranes. Finally, disturbed cardiolipin interactions of MtCK, NDPK-D and other proteins like cytochrome c and truncated Bid are discussed more generally in the context of apoptosis and necrosis.

Domains in bacterial membranes and the action of antimicrobial agents

A major advance in the concept of the fluid mosaic model of biological membranes in recent years has been the appreciation of the domain structure of membranes. This concept is now well developed with mammalian plasma membranes but is an emerging focus with regard to bacterial membranes. In addition to bacterial domains that form spontaneously, it is possible to induce the separation of anionic and zwitterionic lipids with certain cationic antimicrobial agents. As a consequence, the bacterial species for which these agents will be toxic can be predicted on the basis of the lipid composition of the bacterial membrane.

A single mutation in the nonamyloidogenic region of islet amyloid polypeptide greatly reduces toxicity

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP or amylin) is a 37-residue peptide secreted with insulin by beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans. The aggregation of the peptide into either amyloid fibers or small soluble oligomers has been implicated in the death of beta-cells during type 2 diabetes through disruption of the cellular membrane. The actual form of the peptide responsible for beta-cell death has been a subject of controversy. Previous research has indicated that the N-terminal region of the peptide (residues 1-19) is primarily responsible for the membrane-disrupting effect of the hIAPP peptide and induces membrane disruption to a similar extent as the full-length peptide without forming amyloid fibers when bound to the membrane. The rat version of the peptide, which is both noncytotoxic and nonamyloidogenic, differs from the human peptide by only one amino acid residue: Arg18 in the rat version while His18 in the human version. To elucidate the effect of this difference, we have measured in this study the effects of the rat and human versions of IAPP(1-19) on islet cells and model membranes. Fluorescence microscopy shows a rapid increase in intracellular calcium levels of islet cells after the addition of hIAPP(1-19), indicating disruption of the cellular membrane, while the rat version of the IAPP(1-19) peptide is significantly less effective. Circular dichroism experiments and dye leakage assays on model liposomes show that rIAPP(1-19) is deficient in binding to and disrupting lipid membranes at low but not at high peptide to lipid ratios, indicating that the ability of rIAPP(1-19) to form small aggregates necessary for membrane binding and disruption is significantly less than hIAPP(1-19). At pH 6.0, where H18 is likely to be protonated, hIAPP(1-19) resembles rIAPP(1-19) in its ability to cause membrane disruption. Differential scanning calorimetry suggests a different mode of binding to the membrane for rIAPP(1-19) compared to hIAPP(1-19). Human IAPP(1-19) has a minimal effect on the phase transition of lipid vesicles, suggesting a membrane orientation of the peptide in which the mobility of the acyl chains of the membrane is relatively unaffected. Rat IAPP(1-19), however, has a strong effect on the phase transition of lipid vesicles at low concentrations, suggesting that the peptide does not easily insert into the membrane after binding to the surface. Our results indicate that the modulation of the peptide orientation in the membrane by His18 plays a key role in the toxicity of nonamyloidogenic forms of hIAPP.

Large changes in the CRAC segment of gp41 of HIV do not destroy fusion activity if the segment interacts with cholesterol

The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the gp41 fusion protein of HIV is highly conserved among isolates of this virus and is considered a target for vaccine development. This region also appears to play a role in membrane fusion as well as localization of the virus to cholesterol-rich domains in membranes. The carboxyl terminus of MPER has the sequence LWYIK and appears to have an important role in cholesterol interactions. We have tested how amino acid substitutions that would affect the conformational flexibility of this segment could alter its interaction with cholesterol. We studied a family of peptides (all peptides as N-acetyl-peptide amides) with P, G, or A substituting for W and I of the LWYIK sequence. The peptide having the greatest effect on cholesterol distribution in membranes was the most flexible one, LGYGK. The corresponding mutation in gp41 resulted in a protein retaining 72% of the fusion activity of the wild-type protein. Two other peptides were synthesized, also containing two Gly residues, GWGIK and LWGIG, and did not have the ability to sequester cholesterol as efficiently as LGYGK did. Making the corresponding mutants of gp41 showed that these other two double Gly substitutions resulted in proteins that were much less fusogenic, although they were equally well expressed at the cell surface. The study demonstrates that drastic changes can be made in the LWYIK segment with the retention of a significant fraction of the fusogenic activity, as long as the mutant proteins interact with cholesterol.

Class B alkaline stabilization to achieve pathogen inactivation

Liming is a cost-effective treatment currently employed in many Class B biosolids production plants in the United States. A bench scale model of lime stabilization was designed to evaluate the persistence of viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. The survival of fecal coliforms, Salmonella, adenovirus type 5, rotavirus Wa, bacteriophage MS-2, Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Giardia lamblia cysts, and Ascaris lumbricoides ova was evaluated under lime stabilization conditions in a water matrix. Fecal coliforms and Salmonella were undetectable following 2 hours of lime stabilization, demonstrating a 7-log reduction. Adenovirus, MS-2 and rotavirus were below detectable levels following 2 h of liming, demonstrating a 4-log reduction. G. lamblia cysts were also inactivated. A. lumbricoides ova remained viable following 72 hours of liming as did C. parvum oocysts. While this study confirmed that Ascaris ova are resistant to liming, their scarcity in sludge and low recovery efficiencies limit their use as indicator. The persistence of C. parvum oocysts after exposure to lime, suggests that this parasite would be a better choice as indicator for evaluating biosolids intended for land application. The studies done with adenovirus Type 5, rotavirus Wa and male specific bacteriophage provided preliminary data demonstrating similar inactivation rates. Monitoring anthropogenic viruses is a time consuming, labor intensive and expensive process. If further studies could demonstrate that phage could be used as an indicator of other enteric viruses, enhanced monitoring could result in greater acceptance of land application of biosolids while demonstrating no increased public health threat.

Membrane interactions of the hydrophobic segment of diacylglycerol kinase epsilon

Diacylglycerol kinase epsilon (DGKepsilon) is unique among mammalian DGK isoforms in having a segment of hydrophobic amino acids as a putative membrane anchor. To model the conformation, and stoichiometry of this segment in membrane-mimetic environments, we have prepared a peptide corresponding to this hydrophobic segment of DGKepsilon of sequence KKKKLILWTLCSVLLPVFITFWKKKKK-NH(2). Flanking Lys residues mimic the natural setting of this peptide in DGKepsilon, while facilitating peptide synthesis and characterization. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that the peptide has increased helical content and significant blue shifts in the presence of anionic--but not zwitterionic--bilayer membranes. When labeled with fluorophores that can undergo fluorescence resonance energy transfer, the peptide was found to dimerize--a result also observed from migration rates on SDS-PAGE gels under both reducing and non-reducing disulfide bridge conditions. The peptide was shown to preferentially interact with cholesterol in lipid films comprised of homogeneous mixtures of cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine, yet the presence of cholesterol in hydrated vesicle bilayers decreases its helical content. The peptide was also able to inhibit the activity of DGKepsilon protein in vitro. Our overall findings suggest that the peptide ultimately cannot leave the bulk water for attachment/insertion into the outer leaflet of an erythrocyte-like bilayer, yet its core sequence is sufficiently hydrophobic to insert into membrane core regions when membrane attachment is promoted by electrostatic attraction to anionic lipid head groups of the inner leaflet of an erythrocyte-like bilayer.