Changes in helical content or net charge of apolipoprotein C-I alter its affinity for lipid/water interfaces.
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ABSTRACT: Amphipathic ?-helices mediate binding of exchangeable apolipoproteins to lipoproteins. To probe the role of ?-helical structure in protein-lipid interactions, we used oil-drop tensiometry to characterize the interfacial behavior of apolipoprotein C-I (apoC-I) variants at triolein/water (TO/W) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine/triolein/water (POPC/TO/W) interfaces. ApoC-I, the smallest apolipoprotein, has two amphipathic ?-helices. Mutants had single Pro or Ala substitutions that resulted in large differences in helical content in solution and on phospholipids. The ability of apoC-I to bind TO/W and POPC/TO/W interfaces correlated strongly with ?-helical propensity. On binding these interfaces, peptides with higher helical propensity increased surface pressure to a greater extent. Likewise, peptide exclusion pressure at POPC/TO/W interfaces increased with greater helical propensity. ApoC-I retention on TO/W and POPC/TO/W interfaces correlated strongly with phospholipid-bound helical content. On compression of these interfaces, peptides with higher helical content were ejected at higher pressures. Substitution of Arg for Pro in the N-terminal ?-helix altered net charge and reduced apoC-I affinity for POPC/TO/W interfaces. Our results suggest that peptide-lipid interactions drive ?-helix binding to and retention on lipoproteins. Point mutations in small apolipoproteins could significantly change ?-helical propensity or charge, thereby disrupting protein-lipid interactions and preventing the proteins from regulating lipoprotein catabolism at high surface pressures.
SUBMITTER: Meyers NL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3679394 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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