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Rong-gui Hu, Shuang Tang, Wang-yi Liu
The pH-Dependent Interaction of Cinnamomin with Lipid Membranes Investigated by Fluorescence Methods
Cinnamomin, a new type II ribosomeinactivating protein (RIP), was found to be able to induce the release of calcein loaded in lecithin small unilamellar vesicles and the fusion or aggregation of the lecithin liposomes. Such induction could be promoted several fold by a pH 5.0 environment, a condition similar to that in endocytic vesicles. Lowering the pH from 7.5 to 5.0 evoked conformational changes of cinnamomin and unmasked its hydrophobic areas, including the exposure of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (1,8-ANS) binding sites of the molecule. Some tryptophan residues with affinity to acrylamide were demonstrated to participate in the lipidprotein interaction. The pH dependent fusogenicity of type II RIP might suggest its in vivo function as a fusogen to exert its cytotoxicity.
Biological Chemistry, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1431-6730
Volume: 381, 08/2000
Pages: 567 - 573