Protonation-Regulated Membrane-Insertion Dynamics of pH Low-Insertion Peptide: Metastable Molecular Conformations and Their Transitions.

ABSTRACT: The pH-triggered structural transition and translocation of the pH low-insertion peptide (pHLIP) across cell membranes, facilitated by its distinct protonation property, render it a valuable model for investigating the membrane insertion mechanism of molecules. This capability also holds significant promise for advancements in cancer diagnosis and transmembrane transport. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of membrane insertion of wild-type pHLIP and its three variants using real-time tracking of single-peptide translocation kinetics. We identified three distinct metastable molecular conformations of pHLIPs within the bilayer, referred to as ″kinetic intermediate states″ at varying depths within the bilayer. These metastable conformations were observed during both the pH-triggered

SUBMITTER: Qiu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12044699 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature