Cytochrome c-dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol interactions studied by asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry Vol. 380; no. 5-6; pp. 757 - 766
• Main Authors: Yohannes, Gebrenegus, Wiedmer, Susanne K, Tuominen, Esa K J, Kinnunen, Paavo K J, Riekkola, Marja-Liisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.11.2004
• Subjects: Cytochromes c - analysis; Cytochromes c - chemistry; Fractionation, Field Flow - methods; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lipids - chemistry; Oleic Acid - analysis; Oleic Acid - chemistry; Particle Size; Phosphatidylglycerols - analysis; Phosphatidylglycerols - chemistry; Proteins - chemistry; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - analysis; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - chemistry; Static Electricity
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-004-2842-4

Lipid membranes are well recognized ligands that bind peripheral and integral proteins in a specific manner and regulate their function. Cytochrome c (cyt c) is one of the partner peripheral protein that binds to the lipid membranes via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. In this study, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) was used to compare the interactions of cyt c with the acidic phospholipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-glycerol (DMPG), oleic acid (OA), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The influence of pH and the cyt c-lipid molar mass ratios were evaluated by monitoring the diffusion coefficients and particle diameter distributions obtained for the free and lipid-bound protein. The hydrodynamic particle diameter of cyt c (pI 10) was 4.1 nm at pH 11.4 and around 4.2 nm at pH 7.0 and 8.0. Standard molar mass marker proteins were used for calibration to obtain the molar masses of free cyt c and its complexes with lipids. AsFlFFF revealed the binding of cyt c to DMPG and to OA to be mainly electrostatic. In the absence of electrostatic interactions, minor complex formation occurred, possibly due to the extended lipid anchorage involving the hydrophobic cavity of cyt c and the hydrocarbon chains of DMPG or SDS. The possibility of the formation of the molten globule state of cyt c, induced by the interaction between cyt c and lipids, is discussed.