Interaction of peptides with biomembranes assessed by potential-sensitive fluorescent probes

Peptide-membrane interaction is an important step to be evaluated in a study of the activity and mode of action of several bioactive peptides. A variety of methods are available; however, few of them satisfy the criteria of being sensitive, biocompatible, versatile, easy to perform, and allowing real-time monitoring as the use of potential-sensitive fluorescent probes. Here we review methods for detecting the effects of membrane-active peptides, even those that are not intrinsically fluorescent, on the different types of membrane potentials, with a special emphasis on studies conducted with living cells. FPE is a probe sensitive to surface potential and detects electrostatic interactions at the water-lipid interface. Di-8-ANEPPS is sensitive to dipole potential and detects membrane incorporations. Transmembrane potential changes reveal major membrane destabilizations, such as in pore formation. The combination of the information obtained from the three potential variations can lead to a more elucidative picture of the mechanisms of the interaction of relevant peptides with biomembranes.