Softening of POPC membranes by magainin

Biophys Chem. 2008 Sep;137(1):7-12. doi: 10.1016/j.bpc.2008.06.004. Epub 2008 Jun 17.

Abstract

Magainin 2 belongs to the family of peptides, which interacts with the lipid membranes. The present work deals with the effect of this peptide on the mechanical properties of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine Giant Unilamellar Vesicle, characterized by the bending stiffness modulus. The bending elastic modulus is measured by Vesicle Fluctuation Analysis at biologically relevant pH and physiological buffer conditions and shows a dramatic decrease with increasing peptide concentration. The observed bilayer softening is interpreted in terms of a continuum model describing perturbations on the membrane organization. Our analysis suggests that the adsorbed peptides give rise to considerable local curvature disruptions of the membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Magainins / chemistry*
  • Membranes / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry*

Substances

  • Magainins
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Peptides
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine