Structural Characterization of the Antimicrobial Peptide Pleurocidin from Winter Flounder^†

Pleurocidin is an antimicrobial peptide that was isolated from the mucus membranes of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) and contributes to the initial stages of defense against bacterial infection. From NMR structural studies with the uniformly ¹⁵N-labeled peptide, a structure of pleurocidin was determined to be in a random coil conformation in aqueous solution whereas it assumes an α-helical structure in TFE and in dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. From ¹⁵N relaxation studies, the helix is a rigid structure in the membrane-mimicking environment. Strong NOESY cross-peaks from the pleurocidin to the aliphatic chain on DPC confirm that pleurocidin is contained within the DPC micelle and not associated with the surface of the micelle. From diffusion studies it was determined that each micelle contains at least two pleurocidin molecules.