Structure Changes of a Membrane Polypeptide under an Applied Voltage Observed with Surface-Enhanced 2D IR Spectroscopy

J Phys Chem Lett. 2021 Feb 25;12(7):1786-1792. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c03706. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Abstract

The structures of many membrane-bound proteins and polypeptides depend on the membrane potential. However, spectroscopically studying their structures under an applied field is challenging, because a potential is difficult to generate across more than a few bilayers. We study the voltage-dependent structures of the membrane-bound polypeptide, alamethicin, using a spectroelectrochemical cell coated with a rough, gold film to create surface plasmons. The plasmons sufficiently enhance the 2D IR signal to measure a single bilayer. The film is also thick enough to conduct current and thereby apply a potential. The 2D IR spectra resolve features from both 310- and α-helical structures and cross-peaks connecting the two. We observe changes in the peak intensity, not their frequencies, upon applying a voltage. A similar change occurs with pH, which is known to alter the angle of alamethicin relative to the surface normal. The spectra are modeled using a vibrational exciton Hamiltonian, and the voltage-dependent spectra are consistent with a change in angle of the 310- and α-helices in the membrane from 55 to 44°and from 31 to 60°, respectively. The 310- and α-helices are coupled by approximately 10 cm-1. These experiments provide new structural information about alamethicin under a potential difference and demonstrate a technique that might be applied to voltage-gated membrane proteins and compared to molecular dynamics structures.

MeSH terms

  • Alamethicin / chemistry*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Biomedical Enhancement / methods*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Conformation
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared
  • Surface Properties
  • Vibration

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Alamethicin