P. Mak et al., Effect of antimicrobial apomyoglobin 56-131 peptide on liposomes and planar lipid bilayer membrane, INT J ANT A, 17(2), 2001, pp. 137-142
The horse apomyoglobin 56-131 peptide is a convenient object for studies on
the recently discovered antimicrobial activities of haem-binding protein f
ragments called haemocidins. The purpose of this study was to determine the
effect of this peptide on planar lipid bilayer membranes and on liposomes
of different lipid compositions. Micromolar concentrations of the apomyoglo
bin 56-131 fragment disrupt phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylethanolamine pla
nar lipid bilayers without discrete conductance changes. The observed deter
gent-like action is dependent on peptide concentration: the lower amount of
peptide resulted in longer bilayer lifetime. The cholesterol has an inhibi
tory effect on peptide-induced liposome lysis as shown by calcein release f
rom liposomes. Additionally, there was considerable lytic activity on lipos
omes formed from anionic lipids of the sort found in bacterial membranes. C
ircular dichroism (CD) experiments showed that the peptide had a disordered
structure in aqueous solutions and folds gradually to form helices in both
membrane-mimetic trifluoroethanol solutions as well as in liposome suspens
ions. The features of the apomyoglobin 56 131 fragment that are similar to
the cationic antimicrobial peptides acting in a 'carpet-like' manner are di
scussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. and International Society of Chemot
herapy. All rights reserved.