Resonance energy transfer study of hemoglobin complexes with model phospholipid membranes

By examining the resonance energy transfer between fluorescent probes, embedded in the lipid bilayer (4-(dimethylaminostyryl)-1-methylpiridine, 4-(dimethylaminostyryl)-1-dodecylpiridine, N,N'-bishexamethylenrhodamine, rhodamine 6G) as donors, and the heme group of hemoglobin as acceptor, the structure of the protein complexes with the model membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine and cardiolipin was characterized. Quantitative interpretation of the experimental data was performed in terms of the model of energy transfer in two-dimensional systems, using a set of parameters including the distance of closest approach between donor and acceptor, the vertical separation of donor planes, the acceptor distance from the donor plane and the orientation factor. The limits for the heme distance from the lipid bilayer center and the depth of the protein penetration in the membrane interior were estimated. The results obtained suggest that the depth of hemoglobin insertion into liposomal membranes decreases upon increasing CL content in the lipid bilayer.