NMR solution structure and position of transportan in neutral phospholipid bicelles

Abstract

Transportan is a chimeric cell‐penetrating peptide constructed from the peptides galanin and mastoparan, which has the ability to internalize living cells carrying a hydrophilic load. In this study, we have determined the NMR solution structure and investigated the position of transportan in neutral bicelles. The structure revealed a well‐defined α‐helix in the C‐terminal mastoparan part of the peptide and a weaker tendency to form an α‐helix in the N‐terminal domain. The position of the peptide in relation to the membrane, as studied by adding paramagnetic probes, shows that the peptide lies parallel to, and in the head‐group region of the membrane surface. This result is supported by amide proton secondary chemical shifts.