Contribution of a central proline in model amphipathic α-helical peptides to self-association, interaction with phospholipids, and antimicrobial mode of action

Model amphipathic peptides have been widely used as a tool to determine the structural and biological properties that control the interaction of peptides with membranes. Here, we have focused on the role of a central Pro in membrane-active peptides. To determine the role of Pro in structure, antibiotic activity, and interaction with phospholipids, we generated a series of model amphipathic α-helical peptides with different chain lengths and containing or lacking a single central Pro. CD studies showed that Pro-free peptides (PFPs) formed stable α-helical structures even in aqueous buffer through self-association, whereas Pro-containing peptides (PCPs) had random coil structures. In contrast, in trifluoroethanol or SDS micelles, both PFPs and PCPs adopted highly ordered α-helical structures, although relatively lower helical contents were observed for the PCPs than the PFPs. This structural consequence indicates that a central Pro residue limits the formation of highly helical aggregates in aqueous buffer and causes a partial distortion of the stable α-helix in membrane-mimetic environments. With regard to antibiotic activity, PCPs had a 2–8-fold higher antibacterial activity and significantly reduced hemolytic activity compared with PFPs. In membrane depolarization assays, PCPs passed rapidly across the peptidoglycan layer and immediately dissipated the membrane potential in Staphylococcus aureus, whereas PFPs had a greatly reduced ability. Fluorescence studies indicated that, although PFPs had strong binding affinity for both zwitterionic and anionic liposomes, PCPs interacted weakly with zwitterionic liposomes and strongly with anionic liposomes. The selective membrane interaction of PCPs with negatively charged phospholipids may explain their antibacterial selectivity. The difference in mode of action between PCPs and PFPs was further supported by kinetic analysis of surface plasmon resonance data. The possible role of the increased local backbone distortion or flexibility introduced by the proline residue in the antimicrobial mode of action is discussed.