The structure and behavior of the NA-CATH antimicrobial peptide with liposomes

Naja atra cathelicidin (NA-CATH) is a 34-amino acid highly cationic peptide identified in Chinese cobras to possess potent toxicity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and low toxicity against host cells. Here, we report the NMR solution structure of the full-length NA-CATH peptide and its interaction with liposomes. The structure shows a well-defined α-helix between residues Phe3 to Lys23, on which one surface is lined by the side-chains of one arginine and 11 lysine residues, while the other side is populated by hydrophobic residues. The last eleven amino acids, which are predominately aromatic and hydrophobic in nature, have no defined structure. NMR data reveal that these residues do not interact with the hydrophobic residues of the helix, indicating that the C-terminal residues have random conformations. Fluorescence requenching experiments, in which liposomes serve as a mimic of the bacterial membranes, result in fluorophore leakage that is consistent with a membrane thinning or transient pore formation mechanism. NMR titration studies of the peptide-liposome interaction reveal that the peptide is in fast exchange with the liposome, consistent with the fluorescent studies. These data indicate that full length NA-CATH possesses a helical segment and unstructured C-terminal tail that disrupts the bilayer to induce leakage and lysing.