Structure and membrane interactions of the antibiotic peptide dermadistinctin K by multidimensional solution and oriented 15N and 31P solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
Verly, R.M., de Moraes, C.M., Resende, J.M., Aisenbrey, C., Bemquerer, M.P., Pilo-Veloso, D., Valente, A.P., Almeida, F.C.L., Bechinger, B.(2009) Biophys J 96: 2194-2203
- PubMed: 19289046 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2008.11.063
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2JX6, 2K9B - PubMed Abstract: 
DD K, a peptide first isolated from the skin secretion of the Phyllomedusa distincta frog, has been prepared by solid-phase chemical peptide synthesis and its conformation was studied in trifluoroethanol/water as well as in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dodecylphosphocholine micelles or small unilamellar vesicles. Multidimensional solution NMR spectroscopy indicates an alpha-helical conformation in membrane environments starting at residue 7 and extending to the C-terminal carboxyamide. Furthermore, DD K has been labeled with (15)N at a single alanine position that is located within the helical core region of the sequence. When reconstituted into oriented phosphatidylcholine membranes the resulting (15)N solid-state NMR spectrum shows a well-defined helix alignment parallel to the membrane surface in excellent agreement with the amphipathic character of DD K. Proton-decoupled (31)P solid-state NMR spectroscopy indicates that the peptide creates a high level of disorder at the level of the phospholipid headgroup suggesting that DD K partitions into the bilayer where it severely disrupts membrane packing.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Departamento de Química Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.