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The archaeal toxin, aRelE, in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 inhibits protein synthesis, whereas its cognate antitoxin, aRelB, neutralizes aRelE activity by forming a non-toxic complex, aRelB–aRelE. The structural mechanism whereby aRelB neutralizes aRelE activity was examined by biochemical and biophysical analyses. Overexpression of aRelB with an aRelE mutant (ΔC6), in which the C-terminal residues critical for aRelE activity were deleted, in Escherichia coli allowed a stable complex, aRelB–ΔC6, to be purified. Isothermal titration of aRelE or ΔC6 with aRelB indicated that the association constant ( K a) of wild-type aRelB–aRelE is similar to that of aRelB–ΔC6, demonstrating that aRelB makes little contact with the C-terminal active site of aRelE. Overexpression of deletion mutants of aRelB with aRelE indicated that either the N-terminal (pos. 1–27) or C-terminal (pos. 50–67) fragment of aRelB is sufficient to counteract the toxicity of aRelE in E. coli cells and the second α-helix (α2) in aRelB plays a critical role in forming a stable complex with aRelE. The present results demonstrate that aRelB, as expected from its X-ray structure, precludes aRelE from entering the ribosome, wrapping around the molecular surface of aRelE.

The steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is one of the most powerful method to detect and analyze subtle conformation change and interaction between peptide elements in protein. Phytocystatin Scb isolated from sunflower seeds includes a single Trp residue at position 85. In an attempt to investigate the interaction of the N-terminal region of Scb with the first and second hairpin loops by fluorescence spectroscopy of Trp residue, two Scb mutants in which single Trp locates at position 52 and 58, respectively, and their N-terminal removed mutants were generated. The N-terminal truncation changed the fluorescence decay kinetics of Trp52 from the triple exponential to double. Furthermore, the time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy residue indicated that the segmental motion of Trp52 was significantly enhanced by its N-terminal truncation. In contrast, Trp58 and Trp85 had little influence. The N-terminal successive truncations of Scb and its mutants resulted in the weaken inhibitors to papain. These results suggested that the N-terminal region of Scb interacts with the peptide segment preceding the first hairpin loop, thereby stabilizing the conformation of the hairpin loop structure.

The conformation and dynamics of a protein are essential in characterizing the protein folding/unfolding intermediate state. They are closely involved in the packing and site-specific interactions of peptide elements to build and stabilize the tertiary structure of the protein. In this study, it was confirmed that trypsin inhibitor obtained from seeds of bitter gourd (BGTI) adopted a peculiar but plausible conformation and dynamics in the unfolding intermediate state. The fluorescence spectrum of one of two tryptophan residues of BGTI, Trp9, shifted to the blue side in the presence of 2-3 M guanidine hydrochloride, although the other, Trp54, did not show this spectral shift. At the same time, the motional freedom of Trp9 revealed by a time-resolved fluorescence study decreased, suggesting that the segmental motion of this residue was more restricted. These results indicate that BGTI takes such a conformation state that the hydrophobic core and loop domains arranging Trp9 and Trp54 respectively are heterogeneously packed in the unfolding intermediate state.

Snowmelt runoff is a precious water resource in cold region. However it causes disasters by influence of a warm air and a rainfall in spring. Therefore accurate estimation of snow water equivalent and forecast of snowmelt discharge are vital for river management. We investigated how snow water equivalent changes with time in the Jozankei Dam basin and on the premises of the Ishikari Experiment Laboratory. It was done by continuously monitoring of snowcover weight and snowmelt discharge using snowcover weightmeters and lysimeters. We observed time-lag of snowmelt runoff and excessive snowmelt runoff. It was caused by structure of snowcover layer. We proposed a simple equation for estimation of snow density by multiple linear regression analysis. We estimated snow water equivalent in the Jozankei dam basin by using the equation. The result of estimation is almost satisfactory.

Field observation of turbidity, chlorophyll and current velocity was conducted in the Barato River, which is the oxbow lake in the Ishikari River. In this oxbow lake resuspension of the sediment is main factor of water pollutant. In this survey, relationship among sediment resuspension, wind speed and current velocity were investigated. And the rate of sediment resuspesion was estimated by using observation results.Clear relationship exists between wind speed and turbidity when the wind speed was larger than certain level in each survey point. We tried to estimate the rate of sediment resupension by the methods in our study. The estimated value was generally adjusted to observed results in 2005; however, considerable difference was found in 2006.

Approximately half of the precipitation in Hokkaido falls as snow, and snowmelt floods in spring are an important factor in the river environment and in flood control and other river management. In Hokkaido, water storage at dams is managed using snowmelt water, and accurate estimation of snow water equivalent is important for flood management. We investigated how snow water equivalent changes with time in the Jozankei Dam basin, a basin that typifies those in snowy regions. Investigation was done by continuously monitoring snowcover weight and melted weight using a snowcover weightometer, which allows direct measurement of snowcover weight, and other instruments. Temporal changes in snow water equivalent and snow density were identified. The snow density was around 0.2g/cm3 at the initial stage of snow-accumulation, but at the late stage, the snow became granular in all layers and its density stabilized at around 0.4-0.5 g/cm3.

This study evaluates the living environment for Oncorhynchus masou parr by their feeding activities. Knowledge on physiology and ecology of Oncorhynchus masou parr is used for calculation of acquired energy after feeding, and consumed energy for maintaining their position and resting against current. The balance between the two kinds of energy is also calculated. The evaluation result can be applied for relative evaluation of the living environment of each section that show different environmental data, and for quantitative estimation of fish habitation in other rivers. To support this, the study verifies the validity of the evaluation by analyzing pools and riffles in the studied sections of the river, and the relationship between the energy balance and fish population in the river channel. And we clarified the optimal environmental conditions for Oncorhynchus masou.

The ribonuclease P (RNase P) in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii comprises RNA (PhopRNA) and five proteins. We analyzed the RNA binding mode of the protein, using a pair of complementary fluorescence-labeled oligoribonucleotides. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based assays suggested that the RNase P proteins assist PhopRNA in attaining a functionally active conformation via a distinct mode of binding.

A de novo designed pore-forming small globular protein (SGP) with antitumor activity consists of four helices: 3 basic amphipathic helices composed of Leu and Lys surrounding a central hydrophobic helix composed of oligoalanine. These helices are connected by a β-turn-forming sequence and two β-turn-unfavorable ones (S. Lee, T. Kiyota, T. Kunitake, E. Matsumoto, S. Yamashita, K. Anzai, and G. Sugihara Biochemistry 1997, Vol. 36, pp. 3782–3791). In the present work, we designed and synthesized three new SGP analogs in order to study the stoichiometric packing geometry and stability of SGP. The replacement of alanines in the central helix of SGP with leucines (SGP-L), which make the helix much larger in size and more hydrophobic, resulted in an equilibrium of monomeric–trimeric structure. The replacement of some Lys residues by Glu residues in the hydrophilic regions of the amphipathic helices (SGP-E) led to a decrease in helical content and the formation of an equilibrium of monomeric–trimeric structure. The alteration of β-turn regions with Gly residues, which makes these regions flexible (SGP-G), established an equilibrium of monomeric–dimeric states in buffer. The hydrophobic α-helix of SGP-L penetrated into the lipid bilayers in a manner that stabilized model membranes and biomembranes, whereas the central helices of SGP-G and -E destabilized them by forming channels. SGP and its analogs may be a useful model to study the role of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions in the formation of monomer–oligomer of proteins and to better understand the insertion of membrane targeting proteins into biomembranes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers 56: 96–108, 2001

The fluorescence spectral distributions of four tryptophan residues of hen egg-white lysozyme were analyzed using time-resolved and quenching-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Trp62 and Trp108 gave the fluorescence maxima at 352 nm and 342 nm, respectively. The fluorescence of Trp28 and Trp111 occurred only at 300-360 nm and they were observed as an unresolved emission band with a maximum and shoulder at 320 nm and 330 nm. The fluorescence quenching and decay parameters of each tryptophan residue reconfirmed that Trp62 was fully exposed to the solvent but Trp108 was sealed in the cage of the peptide chains and furthermore showed that Trp28 and Trp111 are under the influence of the larger fluctuational motion at the hydrophobic matrix box. The fluorescence responses of each tryptophan residue to the lysozyme-ligand interaction suggested that the internal fluctuation was reduced by the binding of ligand to give a distorted conformation to the hydrophobic matrix box region.

Tachyplesin I, an antibacterial and antiviral heptadecapeptide from the hemocyte debris of Tachypleus tridentatus, contains four aromatic amino acids (Trp2, Phe4, Tyr8, and Tyr13) which have been shown to be crucial for activity. In order to investigate conformations and orientations of the aromatic amino acid residues of tachyplesin I in lipid bilayers, its analogs, [Phe8]- and/or [Phe13]-tachyplesin(s) I in which Tyr8 and Tyr13 are replaced by Phe, were synthesized. Circular dichroism spectral studies showed that three peptides are considerably different in conformation in aqueous solution at pH 8.0 whereas they take similar conformations in the presence of neutral egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) liposomes. Energy transfer kinetics showed that the distances of Trp2-Tyr8 and Trp2-Tyr13 are 16 A (max of 18.3 A, min of 15.1 A) and 18 A (max of 20.2 A, min of 16.6 A) in buffer but are 12 A (max of 15.2 A, min of 8.6 A) and 18 A (max of 22.9 A, min of 12.9 A), respectively, in the presence of acidic EYPC/EYPG (3:1) liposomes. Decay kinetics for Trp2 fluorescence indicated that Trp2 takes at least three conformations in buffer and in acidic liposomes where fractions of three Trp2 conformers vary by changing the medium from buffer to acidic liposomes. Although tachyplesin I is not in amphiphilic structure in buffer in spite of its rigid antiparallel beta-conformation, its interaction with lipid bilayers appears to induce amphiphilic structure via minor alteration of peptide backbone and side chain orientations, resulting in shortening the distance of Trp2-Tyr8.

In Escherichia coli the oriC-independent primosome plays an essential role in replication restart after dissociation of the replication DNA–protein complex by DNA damage. Primosome is thought to form via two pathways: one PriA dependent and the other PriA independent. PriC is a key protein in the replication restart of the PriA-independent pathway. In this study, we determined that PriC was divided into two domains. Then, we obtained information that: (i) the C-terminal domain preferentially binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA); (ii) the binding of PriC to ssDNA depends on salt concentration; and (iii) the binding site size of PriC is approximately 7–9 nucleotides. The protease digestion of PriC suggested that a possible DNA-binding site is the N-terminus of the C-terminal domain where basic amino acid residues are concentrated. Interestingly, α-helical induction of the C-terminal domain of PriC occurred after the addition of DNAs. Also, we examined the role of heptad repeat of leucine or valine residues in the C-terminal domain and PriC oligomerization. This study describes the structure and function analysis of PriC which forms the primosome complex in replication restart.

The ligand-induced conformational change of an active lysozyme derivative, Kyn62-lysozyme, in which Trp62 of hen egg-white lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) was selectively modified to kynurenine, was investigated by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Kyn62 formed an intramolecular energy transfer donor-acceptor pair with a tryptophan residue as a donor. The energy transfer was related to the conformation of the active site. The spectral overlap integral (J) of the kynurenine-tryptophan pair is large as it was determined to be 4.92 x 10(-15) M-1 cm3. Time-resolved fluorescence properties of Kyn62-lysozyme and its complex with a trimer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine [(GlcNAc)3] show that the energy donor is Trp28 or Trp111 in the hydrophobic matrix box of the free Kyn62-lysozyme. In the complex, it appears that the kynurenine residue drastically changed its orientation or approached closer to Trp108 to accept more efficiently the excitation energy from Trp108 on the binding of Kyn62-lysozyme with (GlcNAc)3.

The hydraulic characteristics of an ice-covered river is much different from those at other seasons, because the frictional resistance between water surface and icesheet increases due to the ice cover on the water surface.Accuracy of estimation of the average velocity is dependent on the velocity profile. Usually, the k-e model is used to estimate the velocity profile under ice cover. This paper verifies a new estimation of a velocity profile under ice, the Two-Power LAW, using data measured in Hokkaido.

The structural feature of unfolding intermediate of pokeweed anti-viral protein (PAP) was characterized using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic methods to elucidate protein folding/unfolding process. CD and fluorescence spectra consistently demonstrated that the unfolding of PAP completed at 4 M of guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). The fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and time-resolve fluorescence depolarization analysis of Trp208 and Trp237 located in the C-terminal domain of PAP suggested that peculiar unfolding intermediate populated before reaching to the unfolding state. The FRET distance of Trp237 to Tyr182 was extended to more than 28 A with keeping the compact conformation in the unfolding intermediate state populated in the presence of 2 M GuHCl. On the other hand, Trp208 maintained the energy transfer pair with Tyr72 near the active site, although the rotational freedom was increased a little. There results suggest that the most distinguished structural feature of the unfolding intermediate of PAP is the separation of C-terminal domain from N-terminal domain. FRET and fluorescence depolarization studies also showed that C-terminal domain would be more separated to liberate the segmental motions of Trp208 and Trp237 distinctly at the unfolding state.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex was purified from Bacillus caldolyticus. The complex was composed of four polypeptides with molecular masses of 39.8, 41.7, 53.7, and 57.5kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE and they were presumed to be pyruvate decarboxylase (E1, dimeric), lipoate acetyltransferase (E2), and lipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) on the analogy of those from Bacillus stearothermophilus. E1 and E3 were stable at pH 5.7-10.2 and 4.5-11.3, respectively. Halves of E1 and E3 activity were abolished by incubation for 30min at 65°C and 85°C, respectively. Loss of overall activity was principally due to inactivation of E1. Structural changes in the complex incubated at high temperature were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The results suggested that the thermal denaturation of the complex proceeded through at least two different steps: inactivations of E1 and E3, and the former process is accompanied by a reduction of the complex size.

With reference to the local conformation of a protein, it is interesting to differentiate the individual fluorescence properties of included tryptophan residues without modification. The fluorescence spectrum of bitter gourd trypsin inhibitor (BGTI) was separated into two emission bands by the quenching-resolved fluorescence method. One emission band was given as a fraction with the Stern-Volmer quenching constant, 44.9 x 10(-3) M(-1), against the fluorescence quenching by KI, and it showed an emission maximum intensity at 341 nm. The fluorescence quenching constant of the other band was 1.58 x 10(-3) M(-1), and the maximum wavelength was found at 337 nm. These separated emissions were due to the fluorescence of Trp54 and Trp9 of BGTI. The quenching resolved-fluorescence spectrum was effectively applied to the precise description of the polar circumstances surrounding the Trp residues in the unfolding intermediate state of BGTI. The results suggested that the molten globule-like state of BGTI adopted such a peculiar conformation that the helix domain including Trp9 was packed more densely while the other loop domain partially unfolded.

Field measurements of velocity profiles for ice-covered streams were performed in Hokkaido. Surface conditions of the cover were classified into smooth ice cover, rippled ice cover and cover with frazil slush. Adaptability of logarithmic velocity distribution was first investigated. The friction factor fi and Manning's roughness coefficient ni were caluculated based on an assumption of the logarithmic distribution; average values ni for smooth and rippled cover were 0.012 and 0.021 respectively.

Human serum albumin (HSA) plays important roles in transport of fatty acids and binding a variety of drugs and organic compounds in the circulatory system. This protein experiences several conformational transitions by the change of pH, and the resulting conformations were essential for completing the physiological roles in vivo. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to single tryptophan residue solely arranged in HSA to study subtle conformational change around single tryptophan residue in HSA at various pH. The results showed the characteristic feature of local conformation around tryptophan residue in domain II responding to the change in entire structure. The study of time-resolved area-normalized fluorescence emission spectra (TRANES) also showed the peculiar dielectric property of water molecule trapped nearby tryptophan residue depending on pH. These results suggested that microenvironment around tryptophan residue was tightly packed at acidic and basic pH although entire conformation was loosened.

The unfolding of alpha-momorcharin was systematically investigated using steady-state and time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence, circular dichroism and 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) binding. These spectroscopic studies demonstrated that alpha-momorcharin unfolded through a compact folded intermediate state. The content of alpha-helix was increased, Trp192 approached closer to the side of active site and its rotational motion was restricted by being equilibrated with 2-3 M of guanidine hydrochloride. Furthermore, the binding of ANS with alpha-momorcharin was more suppressed to show that the hydrophobic parts would not be accessed to the protein surface but rather be sealed off in this specific conformation state. These results suggest that the structure of alpha-momorcharin holds the more compact conformation as an incipient state for unfolding, which is the sharp contrast to beta-momorcharin that gives the characteristics of the generally known molten globule state.

The origin of multi-exponential fluorescence decay property of tryptophan (Trp) in protein has been in controversy, and dielectric relaxation is thought to be one of the most plausible candidates of that origin. In this study, we studied melittin-calmodulin interaction on the concept of dielectric relaxation by spectrally and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Trp residue in melittin demonstrated drastic change in its dielectric relaxation rate and scale by binding with calmodulin. Expected change of relaxation rate suggested that dielectric relaxation accounts for multi-exponential property of fluorescence decay. We also examined the time variation of radiative and non-radiative decay rates. That result demonstrated the distinct difference profiles of non-radiative decay rate of Trp in melittin and the complex.

The specific conformation of partially unfolded state of beta-momorcharin was characterized through the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic studies on a single Trp-190 which located adjacently to the active site. The content of secondary structure was retained, the binding of ANS was remarkably enhanced, and the correlation time of entire protein rotation was prolonged at the partially unfolded state formed by being equilibrated with the mild concentration of guanidine hydrochloride. The time-resolved fluorescence depolarization and excitation energy transfer analysis suggest that Trp-190 approached 2 A closer to Tyr-70 and was hidden from the exposure to the protein surface, while the rotational correlation time and freedom of its segmental motion were shortened and enhanced, respectively. These results suggest that the transient folding/unfolding intermediate state of beta-momorcharin adopt the specific conformation at the vicinity of the active site, although it exhibits very similar properties with those of the generally known molten-globule state.

The thermal unfolding pathway for dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LipDH) isolated from Bacillus stearothermophilus was investigated focusing on the transient intermediate state characterized through time-resolved fluorescence studies. The decrease in ellipticity in the far UV region in the CD spectrum, the fluorescence spectral change of Trp-91 and FAD, and the thermal enzymatic inactivation curve consistently demonstrated that LipDH unfolded irreversibly on heat treatment at higher than 65 degrees C. LipDH took a transient intermediate state during the thermal unfolding process which could refold back into the native state. In this state, the internal rotation of FAD was activated in the polypeptide cage and correspondingly LipDH showed a peculiar conformation. The transient intermediate state of LipDH characterized in time-resolved fluorescence depolarization studies showed very similar properties to the molten-globule state, which has been confirmed in many studies on protein folding.

Upon heat treatment of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from Bacillus stearothermophilus, the most thermostable component is a dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3c). To understand this stability, the thermal disintegration of E3 dissociated from the complex (E3d) was examined, comparing with that of E3c. Judging from residual activity and inactivation rate, E3d was less thermostable than E3c; E3d and E3c lost half of their original activities upon incubations for 30 min at 79 degrees C and 90 degrees C, respectively. Heat treatment of E3d raised the fluorescence intensities of Trp residue, intrinsic FAD, and extrinsic 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate. E3d lost FAD, and inactive E3d polypeptides were aggregated. The sulfonate bound to the aggregate became notably fluorescent. The thermal disintegration of E3d was speculated to be a consecutive reaction that was different from the concurrent disintegration reaction of the complex. Some interactions with other component polypeptides was suggested to improve the thermostability of E3c.

By analyzing the steady state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy, the internal motions of chlorophyll a of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex (LHCII) were characterized in a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposome. Corresponding to the thermotropic phase of the membrane, chlorophyll a showed an unique internal motion in LHCII. At the gel phase, two motional components, one fast and the other slow, were observed, which would originate in the heterogeneity of the mutual orientation and the binding site of the chlorophyll a in LHCII. Interestingly, the faster motion was suppressed and only the slower segmental rotation with the larger motional amplitude was allowed on the phase transition to a liquid crystalline phase.

Thermally induced changes in pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) from B. stearothermophilus were examined mainly at temperatures from 60 degrees to 70 degrees C. Accompanied by inactivation of pyruvate decarboxylase, light scattering decreased, and ANS fluorescence increased. These changes including the inactivation were approximately first-order reactions, and the values of rate constants were greatly dependent on temperature. Chromatographic studies showed that any polypeptides were in associated forms and that final products were aggregates (230S) and an assembly (48S) smaller than PDC. The aggregates and assembly were rich in decarboxylase and lipoate acetyltransferase, respectively. It was suggested that, during the thermal denaturation, a decarboxylase was dissociated from PDC and immediately involved in aggregates.

The conformational change of hen egg-white lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) induced by the interaction with tri-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine were investigated by steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. To identify more clearly the conformation of hen egg-white lysozyme interacting with the ligand, the fluorescence decay kinetics of the lysozyme and its complex with the ligand were precisely measured at their full spectral regions. The spectral analysis based on the time-resolved studies showed that the binding of the ligand affected not only the Trp62 directly linked to the ligand but its influence was extended to the vicinity of Trp108 and further to the hydrophobic matrix box region. Near the binding site, the intramolecular distance between Trp108 and Glu35 was expanded or contracted depending on the pH of the buffer solution. On the other hand, the interaction of Trp28 and/or Trp111 with their surroundings was reduced by restriction of fluctuational motions at the hydrophobic matrix box region.

The mode of action of tachyplesin I, an antimicrobial cationic heptadecapeptide amide isolated from the hemocyte debris of a horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, toward lipid matrices was studied with synthetic tachyplesin I, its analogs with Phe in place of Trp or Tyr, a linear analog with no disulfide bonds, and two linear short fragments. Circular dichroism spectra showed that tachyplesin I took an antiparallel beta-structure in buffer solution and a certain less ordered structure in acidic liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylcholine and egg phosphatidylglycerol (3:1). Spectrophotometric titration of the peptides with laurylphosphorylcholine revealed that both Trp and Tyr residues orient toward the inside of lipid matrices, suggesting that they are on the same side of the peptide backbone. The carboxyfluorescein leakage experiment and fluorescence data indicated that tachyplesin I interacted strongly with neutral and acidic lipid bilayers and an aromaticity-rich hydrophobic part of the peptide was embedded in lipid membranes. All the peptides except for the short fragments were almost equally active in lipopolysaccharide binding. The energy-transfer experiment showed that a conformational change occurred such that the Tyr and Trp residues are positioned more closely to each other in acidic liposomes than in buffer solution. The present study strongly suggested that amphipathic lipid bilayers induced a conformational change of tachyplesin I from an energetically stable beta-structure to a less ordered, probably more amphipathic structure.

The dynamical properties of subsite C of hen egg-white lysozyme were investigated using Kyn62-lysozyme as an active analogue. Time-resolved fluorescence depolarization studies showed that the segmental motion of kynurenine which was important in subsite C was described with two components of which the rotational correlation times were phi 1 = 150 ps and phi 2 = 1.4 ns, respectively. Although these two segmental motions retained 90% of motional freedom, the slower motion was completely restricted and the degree of freedom was lost to 40% during the interaction with oligomers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.

Thermostabilities of component enzymes in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from Bacillus stearothermophilus decreased in the order lipoamide dehydrogenase, lipoate acetyltransferase, and pyruvate decarboxylase (E1). Fluorescence of an extrinsic 8-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) increased with inactivation of E1. The thermal denaturation of the enzymes resulted in disassembly of the complex. El was involved in a resulting aggregate of the complex. The interaction between ANS and denatured E1 accounted for an increase in fluorescence.

The roles of peptide–peptide charged interaction and lipid phase separation in helix–helix association in lipid bilayers were investigated using a model peptide, P24, as a transmembrane a-helical peptide, and its four analogues. Fluorescence amino acids, tryptophan (P24W) and pyrenylalanine (P24Pya), were introduced into the sequence of P24, respectively. Association of these peptides permits the resonance excitation energy transfer between tryptophan in P24W and pyrenylalanine in P24Pya or excimer formation between P24Pya themselves. To evaluate the effect of charged interaction on the association between a-helical transmembrane segments in membrane proteins, charged amino acids, glutamic acid (P24EW) and lysine (P24KPya), were introduced into P24Wand P24Pya, respectively. Energy transfer experiments indicated that the charged interaction between the positive charge of lysine residue in P24KPya and the negative charge of glutamic acid residue in P24EW did not affect the aggregation of transmembrane peptides in lipid membranes. As the content ratio of sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol (Ch) was increased in the egg phosphatidylcholine (PC), the stronger excimer fluorescence spectra of P24Pya were observed, indicating that the co-existence of SM and Ch in PC liposomes, that is, the raft of SM and Ch, promotes the aggregation of the a-helical transmembrane peptides in lipid bilayers. Since the increase in the contents of SM and Ch leads to the decrease in the content of liquid crystalline-order phase, the moving area of transmembrane peptides might be limited in the liposomes, resulting in easy formation of the excimer in the presence of the lipid-raft. D 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.