Theoretical analysis of the implication of PrP in neuronal death during transmissible subacute spongiform encephalopathies: hypothesis of a PrP oligomeric channel.

Transmissible subacute spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are animal and human neurodegenerative diseases. The nature of the transmissible agent remains unknown. The specific molecular marker of these diseases is the abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP). This protein is encoded by a cellular gene and accumulates in a pathological isoform (PrPres) which is partially resistant to proteolysis. The tridimensional structure of this protein remains theoretical. F. Cohen proposed one of the most realistic models. According to this model and from molecular mechanics calculation, we suggest a PrP oligomeric ionic channel model that may be involved in TSE-induced neuronal apoptosis.

Molecular dynamics simulations of the ErbB-2 transmembrane domain within an explicit membrane environment: comparison with vacuum simulations.

Two 500-ps molecular dynamics simulations performed on the single transmembrane domain of the ErbB-2 tyrosine kinase receptor immersed in a fully solvated dilauroylphosphatidyl-ethanolamine bilayer (DLPE) are compared to vacuum simulations. One membrane simulation shows that the initial alpha helix undergoes a local pi helix conversion in the peptide part embedded in the membrane core similar to that found in simulation vacuum. Lipid/water/peptide interaction analysis shows that in the helix core, the intramolecular peptide interactions are largely dominant compared to the interactions with water and lipids whereas the helix extremities are much more sensitive to these interactions at the membrane interfaces. Our results suggest that simulations in a lipid environment are required to understand the dynamics of transmembrane helices, but can be reasonably supplemented by in vacuo simulations to explore rapidly its conformational space and to describe the internal deformation of the hydrophobic core.

Mechanism of alpha-cyclodextrin induced hemolysis. 2. A study of the factors controlling the association with serine-, ethanolamine-, and choline-phospholipids.

A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular modeling study of the interaction between alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) and phospholipids with serine, ethanolamine, or choline headgroups is presented. The experimental approach is based on 31P and 1H NMR measurements on small unilamellar vesicles (SUV), multilamellar systems (MLV), and aqueous suspensions of lipids using a direct complex preparation with alpha-CD. Molecular dynamics computer simulations are used to investigate the trajectory of alpha-CD in the vicinity of a membrane surface and the influence of the charge and dipole moment of the phospholipid headgroups. These factors of charge and orientation of dipole moment seem to play a key role in the interaction of phospholipids with alpha-CD and reflect very well the experimentally observed selectivity of the phospholipid -alpha-CD approach. However, with this approach, there is no evidence for the formation of a complex with the phospholipid headgroup (except for phosphatidylinositol) that results from electrostatic forces. Rather, after a possible extraction of the lipid from the membrane, a classical inclusion of the sn-2 chain in the cavity of alpha-CD occurs. This step depends on the alkyl chain length and saturation state of the lipids as well as on their organization (i.e., as vesicles or dispersions). Based on our results, chemical modifications of the alpha-CD molecule to control the hemolytic properties of alpha-CD are discussed.

Mechanism of alpha-cyclodextrin-induced hemolysis. 1. The two-step extraction of phosphatidylinositol from the membrane.

It has been suggested that the interaction of cyclodextrins with the lipid components of the erythrocyte membranes is the determining factor in the hemolysis induced by these cyclic oligosaccharides. In the case of alpha-cyclodextrin (cyclomaltohexose), phospholipids have been identified as the cell target. In our study, evidence for the interaction between alpha-cyclodextrin and different phospholipids has been obtained using synthetic membranes. Since phosphatidylinositol (PI) showed the strongest affinity for alpha-cyclodextrin, it has been selected to investigate the respective contributions of the polar head group and the aliphatic chains to the association process using 31P, 2H, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. In this work, we describe the two-step extraction of PI from the membrane following its association with alphaCD: a cyclodextrin molecule is first attracted to the membrane surface by electrostatic remote interactions and associates with the lipid head group. Then the whole PI molecule is extracted, and inclusion of its unsaturated sn-2 acyl chain into another alphaCD molecule occurs in the bulk.

Molecular dynamics study of an alpha-cyclodextrin-phosphatidylinositol inclusion complex.

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides known for their ability to include substrate molecules in their hydrophobic cavity. Moreover, cyclodextrins show a hemolytic activity when mM concentrations are added to blood. This hemolysis is commonly interpreted as a massive dissociation of phospholipids from the cell membrane due to the formation of complexes with the cyclodextrins. In the literature, a complexation between alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha CD) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) specific to the inositol headgroup has been proposed. But the need for the detailed interaction mechanism between the two molecules motivated the present work based on molecular dynamics simulations. Investigation of long range electrostatic interactions shows that a mutual approach of the molecules is only possible when the primary hydroxyl side of alpha CD faces the inositol headgroup of PI. This orientation is also the most favourable from adiabatic-and free-energy profiles calculated along a reaction coordinate that leads to an inclusion of PI into alpha CD. For free energy simulations, partial hydration of the model has been used. A study of glycosidic bond dihedral angles in alpha CD shows an increase in dihedral fluctuations before complexation and a dihedral "freezing" once the complex is formed.

Direct activation of cGMP-dependent channels of retinal rods by the cGMP phosphodiesterase.

The cationic conductances of purified bovine retinal rod membranes were studied by incorporation of vesicles into planar lipid bilayers. When the membranes were stripped of all peripheral proteins [guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) and cGMP phosphodiesterase (3',5'-cyclic-GMP 5'-nucleotidohydrolase), EC 3.1.4.35], sodium and calcium fluxes were almost only observed in the presence of cGMP. Reconstitution experiments in which purified cGMP phosphodiesterase alone or with G protein were reassociated to the vesicles in proportions similar to those found in the native rod provide evidence for a direct interaction between the cGMP-dependent channel protein and the phosphodiesterase. (i) In its inhibited state, phosphodiesterase markedly stimulates the activity of the channels in the presence of cGMP (situation in the dark-adapted rod) but is not capable of activating the channels in the absence of cGMP. (ii) In the absence of cGMP, activation of the phosphodiesterase by G protein with GTP bound (equivalent to photoexcitation) induces the opening of cation channels that have the same conductance for sodium ions as cGMP-activated channels (20-22 pS, with two sublevels of about 7 pS and 13 pS).

Tyrosine protein kinase activity of the EGF receptor is required to induce activation of receptor-operated calcium channels.

We have investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on calcium ion channels in A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells. We have found that: -1- EGF stimulates Ca2+ channels. -2- EGF stimulated Ca2+ channels are voltage independent, exhibit a low conductance (8 pS) and a bursting multichannels activity (BMC). -3- Activation of the tyrosine-kinase function of the EGF receptor is required to generate Ca2+ current. -4- Inositol (1,4,5) triphosphate (Ins (1,4,5) P3) and EGF have similar effect on the channel activation. These results suggest that: stimulation of tyrosine-kinase activity of the EGF receptor, production of Ins (1,4,5)P3 and calcium entry via voltage independent channels are important connected steps in mediating the mitogenic effect of this growth factor.

Physical analysis of light-scattering changes in bovine photoreceptor membrane suspensions.

We have used electron microscopy and model calculations to analyze the physical basis of light-scattering signals from suspensions of photoreceptor membranes. These signals have previously been used to probe interactions between photoactivated rhodopsin (R*) and the peripheral membrane enzyme, GTP-binding protein (G) (Kühn et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., 78:6873-6877). Although there is no unique physical interpretation of these signals, we have shown in this study that they were qualitatively unchanged when the rod outer segment fragments (containing stacked disks) were fragmented by sonication or osmotic shock to produce spherical disk membrane vesicles. An exact treatment of the scattering process for spherical vesicles enabled us to evaluate the effects of changing membrane thickness, refractive index, or vesicle diameter. We present a particular redistribution of mass upon R*-G interaction that fits the experimental data.

[Transient photopotential of rhodopsin on a vesicle preparation of retinal rod membranes]. / Observation d'un photopotentiel transitoire de la rhodopsine en préparation vésiculaire de membranes de bâtonnets rétiniens.

A potentiometric technique allowed us to observe and measure a photopotential of rhodopsin containing vesicles obtained from retinal disc membranes. The signal is proportional to the unbleached amount of rhodopsin in the sample, is photoreversible, related to some stages of photoconversion of the protein, and is nearly insensitive to modifications of physicochemical parameters.