[Interaction of myeloperoxidase and defensins with lipid monolayers]

Myeloperoxidase and defensin interaction with lipid mixtures of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol or rat eye lens lipids were studied. The solubility of myeloperoxidase in 1-octanol and octanol was determined. It was shown that myeloperoxidase can be concentrated at the interface and is readily soluble in the membrane lipid phase. Defensins exhibit similar properties and increase, in addition, the cholesterol-rich monolayer tension. Possible consequences of highly cationic proteins adsorption on cholesterol-rich membranes are discussed.