Antimicrobial peptide activity in asymmetric bacterial membrane mimics

Faraday Discuss. 2021 Dec 24;232(0):435-447. doi: 10.1039/d1fd00039j.

Abstract

We report on the response of asymmetric lipid membranes composed of palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine and palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol, to interactions with the frog peptides L18W-PGLa and magainin 2 (MG2a), as well as the lactoferricin derivative LF11-215. In particular we determined the peptide-induced lipid flip-flop, as well as membrane partitioning of L18W-PGLa and LF11-215, and vesicle dye-leakage induced by L18W-PGLa. The ability of L18W-PGLa and MG2a to translocate through the membrane appears to correlate with the observed lipid flip-flop, which occurred at the fastest rate for L18W-PGLa. The higher structural flexibility of LF11-215 in turn allows this peptide to insert into the bilayers without detectable changes of membrane asymmetry. The increased vulnerability of asymmetric membranes to L18W-PGLa in terms of permeability, appears to be a consequence of tension differences between the compositionally distinct leaflets, but not due to increased peptide partitioning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimicrobial Peptides*
  • Cell Membrane
  • Lipid Bilayers*
  • Magainins

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Peptides
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Magainins