Benzophenone Photoreactivity in a Lipid Bilayer To Probe Peptide/Membrane Interactions: Simple System, Complex Information

Anal Chem. 2019 Jul 16;91(14):9102-9110. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01584. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

Abstract

Affinity photo-cross-linking coupled to mass spectrometry, using benzophenone (Bzp)-functionalized peptides, was used to study the noncovalent interactions of cell-penetrating peptides and lipid membranes. Using biomimetic lipid vesicles composed of saturated and unsaturated negatively charged lipids, DMPG (14:0), DPPG (16:0), DOPG (18:1 cis Δ9), 18:1 (trans Δ9) PG, and DLoPG (18:2 cis Δ9, 12), allowed observation of all the classical and less common reactivities of Bzp described in the literature by direct MS analysis: C═C double bond formation on saturated fatty acids, covalent adducts formation via classical C-C bond, and Paternò-Büchi oxetane formation followed or not by fragmentation (retro-Paternò-Büchi) as well as photosensitization of unsaturated lipids leading to lipid dimers. All these reactions can occur concomitantly in a single complex biological system: a membrane-active peptide inserted within a phospholipid bilayer. We also detect oxidation species due to the presence of radical oxygen species. This work represents a noteworthy improvement for the characterization of interacting partners using Bzp photo-cross-linking, and it shows how to exploit in an original way the different reactivities of Bzp in the context of a lipid membrane. We propose an analytical workflow for the interpretation of MS spectra, giving access to information on the CPP/lipid interaction at a molecular level such as depth of insertion or membrane fluidity in the CPP vicinity. An application of this workflow illustrates the role of cholesterol in the CPP/lipids interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Benzophenones / chemistry*
  • Benzophenones / radiation effects
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry*
  • Cholesterol / chemistry
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry*
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / radiation effects
  • Fatty Acids / analysis*
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction / radiation effects
  • Phospholipids / chemistry
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Benzophenones
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Fatty Acids
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phospholipids
  • benzophenone
  • Cholesterol