Heparin binding stabilizes the membrane-bound form of cobra cardiotoxin

[[abstract]]It has been shown previously that the long chain fragments of heparin bind to the beta-strand cationic belt of the three-finger cobra cardiotoxin (or cytotoxin, CTX) and hence enhance its penetration into phospholipid monolayer under physiological ionic conditions. By taking lysophosphatidyleholine (LPC) micelles as a membrane model, we have shown by H-1 NAIR study that the binding of heparin-derived hexasaccharide (Hep-6) to CTX at the beta-strand region can induce conformational changes of CTX near its membrane binding loops and promote the binding activity of CTX toward LPC. The Fourier-transform infrared spectra and NAIR nuclear Overhauser effect of Hep-6(.)CTX and (CTXLPC)-L-. complex in aqueous buffer also supplemented the aforementioned observation. Thus, the detected conformational change may presumably be the result of structural coupling between the connecting loops and its P-strands. This is the first documentation of results showing how the association of hydrophilic carbohydrate molecules with amphiphilic proteins can promote hydrophobic protein-lipid interaction via the stabilization of its membrane-bound form. A similar mechanism involving tripartite interactions of heparin, protein, and lipid molecules may be operative near the extracellular matrix of cell membranes.[[fileno]]2050135010007[[department]]生科