title: Self-assembly of the amphipathic helix (VHLPPP)8. A mechanism for zein protein body formation.
abstract: gamma-Zein, a maize storage protein with an N-terminal proline-rich repetitive domain (gamma-ZNPRD), is located at the periphery of protein bodies. This domain appears to be indispensable for the aggregation of the protein on the surface of the organelle. The peptide (VHLPPP)8, spanning the gamma-ZNPRD, adopts a polyproline II (PPII) conformation that gives an amphipathic helix different from the alpha-helix. We used atomic force microscopy to study the surface organisation of the octamer, and transmission electron microscopy to visualise aggregates of the peptide in aqueous solution. We consider two self-assembly patterns that take account of the observed features. The micellar one fits best with the experimental results presented. Moreover, we found that this peptide has properties associated with surfactants, and form micelles in solution. This spontaneous amphipathic arrangement of the gamma-ZNPRD suggests a mechanism of gamma-zein deposition inside maize protein bodies.
authors.affiliation: Departament de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, Barcelona, 08028, Spain.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kogan
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dalcol
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gorostiza
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-Iglesias
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ludevid
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giralt
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D008823:Micelles; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015388:Organelles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D015028:Zein / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D008823:Micelles; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D015028:Zein