title: Peptides at the Interface: Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Designer Peptides and Their Membrane Interaction Propensity.
abstract: Self-assembling amphiphilic designer peptides have been successfully applied as nanomaterials in biomedical applications. Understanding molecular interactions at the peptide-membrane interface is crucial, since interactions at this site often determine (in)compatibility. The present study aims to elucidate how model membrane systems of different complexity (in particular single-component phospholipid bilayers and lipoproteins) respond to the presence of amphiphilic designer peptides. We focused on two short anionic peptides, V4WD2and A6YD, which are structurally similar but showed a different self-assembly behavior. A6YD self-assembled into high aspect ratio nanofibers at low peptide concentrations, as evidenced by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy. These supramolecular assemblies coexisted with membranes without remarkable interference. In contrast, V4WD2formed only loosely associated assemblies over a large concentration regime, and the peptide promoted concentration-dependent disorder on the membrane arrangement. Perturbation effects were observed on both membrane systems although most likely induced by different modes of action. These results suggest that membrane activity critically depends on the peptide's inherent ability to form highly cohesive supramolecular structures.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz , BioTechMed-Graz, Harrachgasse 21/VI, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kornmueller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz , BioTechMed-Graz, Harrachgasse 21/VI, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lehofer
authors.affiliation: Center for Medical Research, Core Facility Imaging, Medical University of Graz , Stiftingtalstraße 24, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meindl
authors.affiliation: Center for Medical Research, Core Facility Imaging, Medical University of Graz , Stiftingtalstraße 24, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Eleonore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Research Unit Electron Microscopic Techniques, Medical University of Graz , Harrachgasse 21, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leitinger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Graz University of Technology , Stremayrgasse 9/4, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amenitsch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz , BioTechMed-Graz, Harrachgasse 21/VI, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prassl
mesh_terms: D000838:Anions / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008566:Membranes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008958:Models, Molecular; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D010455:Peptides; D010743:Phospholipids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents