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Updated: Oct 13, 2026
Fluorescent Leakage Assay to Investigate Membrane Destabilization by Cell-Penetrating Peptide
Published on: December 19, 2020
Comparison of the membrane interaction and permeabilization by the designed peptide Ac-MB21-NH2 and truncated
G N Moll1, S Brul, W N Konings
1Department of Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Ac-MB21-NH(2) (Ac-FASLLGKALKALAKQ-NH(2)) and dermaseptin S3(1-16)-NH(2) (ALWKNMLKGIGKLAGK-NH(2)) are cationic amphipathic peptides with antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms including various fungi. The interaction of the peptides with liposomes was studied by exploiting the tryptophan fluorescence of F1W-Ac-MB21-NH(2) and dermaseptin S3(1-16)-NH(2). Spectral analysis and the use of quenchers indicate that the tryptophans of both peptides insert more deeply in anionic than in zwitterionic liposomes. Membrane insertion correlates with the formation of an alpha-helical peptide structure. Both peptides permeabilize liposomes composed of anionic, cylindric phospholipids more efficiently than liposomes formed of zwitterionic, conic (phospho)lipids.
