SOLID-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF THE EXPOSED CAPSID PEPTIDE VP2(96-107) OF THE HEPATITIS-A VIRUS - STUDY OF ITS PHYSICOCHEMICAL INTERACTIONS WITH PHOSPHOLIPIDS

The synthesis on a solid support of a dodecapeptide containing a HAV-V P2 exposed sequence is described. The surface activity of this peptide as well as its miscibility and interactions with dipalmitoylphosphati dylcholine (DPPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), and pho sphatidylinositol (PI) were determined. Interaction energies calculate d applying the Gibbs equation gave very small values, thus suggesting either ideal miscibility or weak interactions. In all cases the electr ical charge in DPPE and PI monolayers seems to create a high electrost atic potential, decreasing its interaction with any external molecule. This peptide was able to accommodate a certain amount of anilinonapht halenesulfonate molecules, showing an intermediate hydrophobic charact er. Moreover, after incubation with saturated liposomes, the peptide s howed a clear rigidifying effect at the level of polar heads, especial ly at temperatures under the transition temperature.