Alterations in lipid bilayer asymmetry upon adsorption of cationic hydrophobic peptides

Principal investigator

+385 1 457 1382

The ability of arginine-rich peptides to cross the lipid bilayer and enter cytoplasm, unlike their lysine-based analogues, is intensively studied in the context of cell-penetrating peptides. Although their penetration into the bilayer followed by the membrane thinning and fluidization remains rather vague from experimental point of view, the computational studies have shown that the type or charge of lipid polar groups is one of the crucial factors in their translocation. In the framework of this project, we propose to examine the impact of short cationic hydrophobic peptides adsorbed on lipid bilayer surface on lateral and transversal movement of constitutive lipids in inner and outer leaflets. By combining experimental and computational approaches, we aim at gaining an insight into the adsorption of peptides on lateral and longitudinal movement of lipids. In particular, symmetric and asymmetric lipid membranes will be examined with calorimetric, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques on the experimental side, and MD simulations and free-energy calculations on the computational side.

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Alterations in lipid bilayer asymmetry upon adsorption of cationic hydrophobic peptides

Principal investigator

Institut Ruđer Bošković

Phone:

+385 1 4561 111