In this work we examine the interaction between the 13-residue cationic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) tritrpticin (VRRFPWWWPFLRR, TRP3) and model membranes of variable lipid composition. The effect on peptide conformational properties was investigated by means of CD (circular dichroism) and fluorescence spectroscopies. Based on the hypothesis that the antibiotic acts through a mechanism involving toroidal pore formation, and taking into account that models of toroidal pores imply the formation of positive curvature, we used large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) to mimic the initial step of peptide-lipid interaction, when the peptide binds to the bilayer membrane, and micelles to mimic the topology of the pore itself, since these aggregates display positive curvature. In order to more faithfully assess the role of curvature, micelles were prepared with lysophospholipids containing (qualitatively and quantitatively) head groups identical to those of bilayer phospholipids. CD and fluorescence spectra showed that, while TRP3 binds to bilayers only when they carry negatively charged phospholipids, binding to micelles occurs irrespective of surface charge, indicating that electrostatic interactions play a less predominant role in the latter case. Moreover, the conformations acquired by the peptide were independent of lipid composition in both bilayers and micelles. However, the conformations were different in bilayers and in micelles, suggesting that curvature has an influence on the secondary structure acquired by the peptide. Fluorescence data pointed to an interfacial location of TRP3 in both types of aggregates. Nevertheless, experiments with a water soluble fluorescence quencher suggested that the tryptophan residues are more accessible to the quencher in micelles than in bilayers. Thus, we propose that bilayers and micelles can be used as models for the two steps of toroidal pore formation.

The dissolution process of model insoluble peptide sequences was investigated in view of the electron acceptor (AN) and electron donor (DN) solvent properties. The Alzheimer's disease-inducing (1-42) Ab-amyloid peptide and its (1-21) fragment, the (66-97) transmembrane bradykinin B2 receptor sequence, and the strongly aggregated VVLGAAIV were selected as models of insoluble peptides. Solvents presenting similar AN and DN values failed, despite their polarities, to dissociate peptide chains (free in solution or bound to a polymer). The maximum solubility of these aggregated sequences was attained in solvents presenting the highest possible (AN-DN) values (in positive or negative mode). The AN-DN values ranged from approximately ÿ20 to +80 and, notably, the lowest dissociation power was ascribed to solvents presenting values of approximately +40. The strong hydrogen bond donor water is located in this region, indicating that, for dissociation of specific insoluble segments, the solvent should appropriately combine its acid/base strength with the potential for van der Waals interactions. We also observed a sequence-dependent pH effect on peptide solubility confirmed through circular dichroism spectroscopy. This approach also revealed a complex but, in many cases, consistent influence of peptide conformation on its solubility degree, even when structure-inducing solvents were added. In conclusion, the random method of selecting solvents to dissolve insoluble and intractable peptide sequences, still in use by some, could be partially supplanted by the strategy described herein, which may be also applicable to other solute dissociation processes.

This work developed an alternative approach targeting the evaluation of the aggregation propensity of the (1-42) β-amyloid peptide (Alzheimer's disease) and some segments, either attached to a polymer during their synthesis or when free in solution. The solvation behavior of peptide-resins was gauged by measuring the swelling of beads in a microscope and the degree of chain motion through EPR spectra of previously labeled resins with an amino acid-type probe. In terms of comparative solvent dissociation power towards aggregated structures, the findings revealed greater values of peptide-resin swelling, peptide chain mobility and solubility when in strong electron donor dimethylsulfoxide than in strong electron acceptor trifluoroethanol. Otherwise, the weakest chain-chain disruption power was verified for acetonitrile, an internally neutral solvent in terms of Lewis acid/base properties. In complement, fluorescence and light scattering experiments depicted that the 15-35 region plays an essential role in the amyloid peptide fibril formation capacity.

Experimental studies revealed that the N-terminal (1-18) fragment is responsible for the activity of the whole peptide, with a negligible toxicity towards eukaryotic cells, thus representing an excellent canditate for future applications. It is expected, like most of the known AMPs, to target the bacterial plasmamembrane but its 3D-structure and detailed mode of action are still unknown. Before an in-depth investigation on peptide/membranes interactions could be undertaken, it is necessary to characterize its folding propensity in solution, in order to understand what is intrinsically due to the peptide sequence and what is actually driven by the membrane interaction. In this scenario, the present study represents the first structural investigation on Esculentin-1b(1-18). Liquid state NMR was employed to determine the peptide structure, moving from water to increasing amounts of trifluorethanol. NMR parameters have been used as restraints during structure determination through a simulated annealing procedure. The results showed that Esculentin-1b(1-18) has a clear tendency to fold in a helical conformation with increasing the environment hydrophobicity, confirming circular dichroism data. Interestingly, the helix is formed only for residues ranging from 3 to 11, while it appears to be unstructured in the rest of the peptide. Nevertheless, the whole conformation was found to be amphipathic with a 3-mer hydrophobic cluster right in the middle of the unstructured segment, which might act as an anchoring tail upon membrane binding.