title: Infrared spectroscopic evidence of conformational transitions of an atrial natriuretic peptide.
abstract: The conformational properties of the atrial natriuretic peptide atriopeptin III were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Infrared spectra in the amide I region were analyzed quantitatively using deconvolution and band-fitting procedures. According to this analysis, in aqueous solution the monomeric peptide has a random structure. Binding to bilayer vesicles of dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol results in drastic conformational changes. The lipid-complexed atriopeptin III adopts a highly ordered structure of predominantly beta-sheets. A transition to a similar, but not identical, beta-structure occurs upon self-association of the peptide. The results of model experiments suggest that the binding of this atrial peptide to the target cell membrane is associated with the induction of beta-sheet structure and that it is this latter conformation that is predominant in the active form of the hormone.
mesh_terms: D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor